The Gospel of Thomas First Greek Form The Infancy of the Lord, Second Greek Form The Childhood of the Lord, Latin Form The Boyhood of Jesus,
: :

—

:

....
.
. .

...
.

78
86

90
100

The Arabic Gospel of the Infancy of the Saviour, The Gospel of Nicodemus
The Acts
of

—

PilateForm,

First Greek

Second Greek Form,

The Descent The Acts
of

of Christ into Hell

Greek Form,

Pilate-

Latin Form,

The Descent

of Christ into

First Latin Version,

..... ...... .....
.

125
149

.

.

,

.

169

.

.

,

.

.

.177
198

Hell-

Second Latin Version,

.

.

.

.

.213
223

The Letter of Pontius Pilate, which he wrote to the Roman
Emperor concerning our Lord Jesus Christ,
. .

The Report of Pilate the Procurator concerning our Lord
Jesus Christ, sent to
First

Rome to Tiberius C^sar

Greek Form,

Second Greek Form,

..... .....
—

224
228

CONTENTS.
The Giving up of Poxtius Pilate,

The Death of Pilate,

The Narrative of Joseph of Arimathea,
The Avenging of the Saviour,
The Story
of Perpetua,

The Acts of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, The Acts of Paul and Thecla,

The Acts of Barnabas,

The Acts of

Philip,

.... ...... .... ..... ..... .... ......
. .
.

PAGB

231
23-i

237

245
256 276
279

.

.

.

293 301

The Acts of Philip when he went to Upper Hellas,
The Acts of Andrew and Matthias
eaters,

.

.

317 335

The Acts and Martyrdom of the Holy Apostle Andrew,
in

The Acts of Peter and Andrew,

....... ....
the City of the Man. .
.
.

.

348

368
373

The Acts and Martyrdom of Matthew the Apostle,

The Acts of the Holy Apostle Thomas,
The Consummation of Thomas the Apostle, The Acts of the Holy Apostle Thadd^us, The Revelation of Moses,

.

389
423

.

.

.

The Martyrdom of the Holy and Glorious Apostle Bartholomew, 429
.

.

.

440
444

The Acts of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist John,

The Revelation of Esdras, The Revelation of Paul, The Revelation of John,

The Book of John concerning the Falling Asleep of Mary,

The Passing of Mary
First Latin

—

Form,

Second Latin Form,

...... ..... ...... ...... ...... ......
. .

454
468 477 493

.

504

515
522

Indexes

—
to,

Texts of Scripture quoted or referred
Priueipal Matters,

.531

634

APOCRYPHAL WRITINGS.
INTRODUCTION.
lUR aim
been to give a in these translations has as possible and rendering of the original as literal in cases-and they to this we have adhered even which the Latin or the Greek is not a few— in
;

-^

are

iiuu iu not in strict

It was thought accordance with grammatical rule. means of forming cases to give the reader the advisable in all as well as the substance of an accurate estimate of the style

these curious documents.

PAKT I.— APOCEYPHAL GOSPELS.
to page 255, compart of the volume, extending so called, consists of the Apocryphal Gospels properly prising which ten are written iwent^-two separate documents, of

The

first

m

twenty-two may be classed Greek and twelve in Latin. These history of Joseph heads: {a) those relating to the under three previous to the birth «^ Christ; (6) and of the Virgin Maiy, and (c) those the infancy of the Saviour
_

those relating to relating to the history of Pilate.

;

The

origines of the traditions

and James, the Gospel of Thomas, are the Protevangelium of referred of the others can be the Acts of Pilate. All or most modifications, or amplifications. to these three, as compHations, existence of many of these There is abundant evidence of the
traditions in the second century,

though it cannot be made ou their present books were then in existence that any of the the authorities on the subject, The greater number of form

m

viu

INTRODUCTION.
first

however, seem to agree in assigning to the

four cen1.

turies of the Christian era, the following five books:
;

The
;

Protevangelium of James 2. The Gospel of Pseudo-Matthew 4. The History of Joseph the Carpenter; 5. The Gospel of Thomas 9. The Gospel of Nicodemus. We proceed to give a very brief notice of each of them.
;

I. TJie Protevangelium of James. The name of Protevangelium was first given to it by Postel, whose Latin version

—
;

was published in 1552. The James is usually referred to St. James the Less, the Lord's brother but the titles vary very
much. Origen, in the end of the second century, mentions a book of James, but it is by no means clear that he refers to the book in question. Justin Martyr, in two passages, refers to the cave in which Christ was born and from the end of the fourth century down, there are numerous allusions in ecclesias;

tical writings to

statements

made

in the Protevangelium.

Por his edition Tischendorf made use of seventeen Mss., one of them belonging to the ninth century. The Greek is good of the kind, and free from errors and corruptions. There are translations of it into English by Jones (1722) and Cowper (18G7).
II.

attribute this

The Gospel of Pseudo-Matthew.—ThQ majority of the mss. book to Matthew, though the titles vary much.
;

The letters prefixed, professing to be ^vritten to and by St. Jerome, exist in several of the mss. but no one who is acquainted with the style of Jerome's letters will think this one authentic. There are, however, in his works many allusions to
some of the legends mentioned in this book. Chapters i.-xxiv. were edited by Thilo, chapters xxv. to the end are edited for the first time by Tischendorf It is not very clear whether the Latin be original, or a direct translation from the Greek. In most part it seems to be original. The list of epithets, however, applied to the triangles of the Alpha in chapter xxxi. are pretty obviously mistranslations of Greek technical terms,

which

it

might not be

difficult to reproduce.

III. Gospel of the Nativity ofMary.—TMB work, which is in substance the same as the earlier part of the preceding, yet

INTRODUCTION.
differs

ix

from

it

in several important points, indicating a later
It has acquired great celebrity

date and a different author.

from having been transferred almost entire to the Historia Lomhardica or Legenda Aurea in the end of the thirteenth century. Mediaeval poetry and sacred art have been very much
indebted to
its

pages.

The

original is in Latin,

and

is it

the Greek.

In

many

passages

not a direct translation from foUows very closely the Vul-

gate translation.

IV. The History of Joseph the Carioenter. The original language of this history is Coptic. From the Coptic it was translated into Arabic. The Arabic was published by Wallin in Wallin's 1722, with a Latin translation and copious notes.
version has been republished

—

by

Fabricius,

and

later in a

some-

what amended form by
version

Thilo.

This amended form of Walliri's

Chapters xiv.-xxiii. is the text adopted by Tischendorf have been published in the Sahidic text by Zoega in 1810 with a Latin translation, and more correctly by Dulaurier in 1835 with a French translation. Tischendorf employs various arguments in support of his
opinion that the work belongs to the fourth century.
found, he says, in both dialects of the Coptic
: :

It is

the eschatology

of it is not inconsistent with an early date the feast of the thousand years of chapter xxvi. had become part of heretical opinion after the third century. The death of the Virgin Mary in chapter v. is inconsistent with the doctrine of the assumption, which began to prevail in the fifth century.
v., VI., VII. The Gospel of Thomas.— UkQ the Protevangelium of James, the Gospel of Thomas is of undoubted antiquity. It is mentioned by name by Origen, quoted by Irenseus and the author of the PhUosophumena, who says that it was used by the JSTachashenes, a Gnostic sect of the second cenCyril of Jerusalem (f 386) attributes the authorship tury. not to the apostle, but to a Thomas who was one of the three disciples of Manes. This fact, of course, indicates that Cyril knew nothing of the antiquity of the book he was speaking of This Manichtean origin has been adopted by many writers.

X
of wliom the best
Mingarelli.

INTRODUCTION.
known
first

are in recent times E.

Simon and

The text

of the

Greek form

is

obtained from a Bologna

MS. published

by Mingarelli with

a Latin translation in 1764,

a Dresden MS. of the sixteenth century edited by Tliilo, a Viennese fragment edited by Lambecius, and a Parisian fragment first brought to light by Coteler in his edition of the Apostolical Constitutions, and translated into English by Jones.

The second Greek form
Tischendorf,

is

published for the
is

first

time by

who

got the MS., which

on paper,

of the four-

teenth or fifteenth century, from one of the monasteries on

Mount

Sinai.
is is

The Latin form
Vatican MS. There

also published for the first time,

from a

another Latin text existing in a palimpsest,

which Tischendorf assigns to the fifth century, and asserts to be nearer the ancient Greek copy than any of the other MSS. It seems pretty clear, from the contents of the book, that its author was a Gnostic, a Docetist, and a Marcosian and it was held in estimation by the Nachashenes and the Manichseans. Its bearing upon Christian art, and to some extent Christian dogma, is well known. The Greek of the original is by no means good, and the Latin translator has in many cases mistaken the meaning of common Greek w^ords.

nmch

;

i.-ix.

VIII. Arabic Gospel of the Saviour's Infancy. Chapters are founded on the Gospels of Luke and Matthew, and
;

—

on the Protevangelium of James chapters xxxvi. to the end are compiled from the Gospel of Thomas the rest of the book,
;

chapters x. to xxxv.,

is

thoroughly Oriental in

its

character,

reminding one of the tales of the Arabian Nights, or of the episodes in the Golden Ass of Apuleius.
It is evident that the

work

is

a compilation, and that the

compiler was an Oriental.

Various arguments are adduced to

prove that the original language of it was Syriac. It was first published, with a Latin translation and copious
notes,

by Professor Sike

of

Cambridge in 1697, afterwards by
Tischendorf's text
is

Fabricius, Jones,

Schmid, and Thilo.

Sike's Latin version

amended by

Fleischer.

INTRODUCTION.

xi

There are not sufficient data for fixing with any accuracy
the time at which
it

was composed

or compiled.

IX.-XIV.
in

Tlie Gospel

serted under this

name

The six documents inof Nicodemus. are various forms of two books two

—

—

Greek and one in Latin of the Acts of Pilate one in Greek and two in Latin of the Descent of Christ to the world below. Of twelve Mss., only two or three give the second part con;

secutively with the
translation.

first,

The

title of

nor does it so appear in the Coptic Gospel of Nicodemus does not appear

before the thirteenth century.

Justin Martyr mentions a book called the Acts of Pilate, and Eusebius informs us that the Emperor Maximin allowed or ordered a book, composed by the pagans under this title, to be published in a certain portion of the empire, and even
to be taught in the schools but neither of these could have been the work under consideration. Tischendorf attributes it to the second century, which is probably too early, though without doubt the legend was formed by the end of the second century. Maury {Mem. de la Societe dcs Antiq. de France, t. xx.) places it in the beginning of the fifth century, from 405 to 420 and Eenan {Etudes d'Hist. Belig. p.
;

;

177) concurs in this opinion.

An

able writer in the Quarterly
;

Review

(vol. cxvi.) assigns it to

439

the author of the article

Pilate, in Smith's Bible Dictionary, gives the

end of the third
converted to

century as the probable date.

The author was probably a
Christianity, or, as Tischendorf

Hellenistic

Jew

and Maury conclude, a Christian imbued with Judaic and Gnostic beliefs. The original language was most probably Greek, though, as in the case of Pseudo-Matthew, the History of Joseph the Carpenter, etc.,
the original language
is,

in

many

of the prefaces, stated

to

have been Hebrew. Some think that Latin was the original language, on the ground that Pilate would make his report to
the Emperor in that, the
have, however,
a
is
official, language. The Latin text we obviously a translation, made, moreover, by Greek was not very familiar, as is obvious

man
The

to

whom

from several instances

specified in our notes to the text.

editio princeps of the

Latin text

is

without place or date.

xii

INTRODUCTION.
it

has been re-edited by Jones, Birch, Fabricius, Thilo, and The Greek text of Part I., and of a portion of Part II., was first published by Birch, and afterwards in a much improved form, with the addition of copious notes and prolego-

and

others.

mena, by Thilo. The latter part of his prolegomena contains a fuU account of the English, French, Italian, and German For his edition Tischendorf consulted thirty-nine translations. ancient documents, of which a full account is given in his prolegomena, pp. Ixxi.-lxxvi. For an interesting account of these documents, see the introduction to Mr. B. H. Cowper's translation of the Apocryphal
Gospels, pp. Ixxxv.-cii.

XV. The Letter of Pontius Pilate. The text is formed from translation of the four authorities, none of them ancient.

—

A

Greek text of the same

letter will

be found at

p.

264.

XVI., XVII. The Bcport of Pilate.— ThQ first of these documents was first published by Fabricius with a Latin translaTischendorf tion the second by Birch, and then by Thilo.
;

has made

iise

of five mss., the earliest of the twelfth century.
to assign the date.

It does not

seem possible

XVIII. The Paradosis of Pilate. It has been well remarked by the author of the article in the Quarterly Review above
referred to, that the early church looked

—

on Pilate with no

unfavourable eye; that he

is

favourably shown in the cata-

combs

the early church, and held

him as a figure of him to be guiltless of Christ's death; that the creeds do not condemn him, and the Coptic Church has even made him a saint. He remarks also that
;

that the early fathers interpreted

Dante
Pilate.

finds

pmiishments
first

for

Caiaphas and Annas, but not for
Birch, and afterwards

The text was

edited

by

by

Thilo.

Tischendorf makes use of five mss., of which the earliest belongs
to the twelfth century.

XIX. The Death of P?7a^c.—This is published for the first time by Tischendorf from a Latin MS. of the fourteenth cen-

INTRODUCTION.
tiiry.

xiii

The language shows

it to

be of a late date.

It appears

almost entire in the Legcnda Aurea.

XX. The Narrative of Joseph. This history seems to have been popular in the middle ages, if we may judge from the number of the Greek MSS. of it which remain. It was first published by Birch, and after him by Thilo. For his edition Tischendorf made use of three MSS., of which
the oldest belongs to the twelfth century.

—

XXI. The Avenging of the Saviour. This version of the Legend of Veronica is written in very barbarous Latin, probably of the seventh or eighth century. An Anglo-Saxon version, which Tischendorf concludes to be derived from the Latin, was edited and translated for the Cambridge Antiquarian Society, by C. W. Goodwin, in 1851. The Anglo-Saxon text is from a MS. in the Cambridge Library, one of a number presented to the Cathedral of Exeter by Bishop Leofric in
the beginning of the eleventh century.

—

document two somewhat clumsily joined together that of Nathan's embassy, and that of Veronica.
will observe that there are in this
distinct legends,

The reader

—

PART

II.—THE

APOCRYPHAL ACTS OF THE
APOSTLES.

This portion of the volume, extending from page 256 to page
454, presents us with documents written in a style consider-

ably different from that of the Apocryphal Gospels properly so caUed. There we have without stint the signs that the

Jews desired; here we begin to have some glimpses of the wisdom which the Greeks sought after, along with a considerable share of
Quidquid Graecia mendax Audet iu histoiia.

We

have less of miracle, more of elaborate discourse. The Apocryphal Gospels were suited to the vilis -pleleeula, from

xiv

INTRODUCTION.
;

which, as Jerome said, the church originated the Apocrjrphal Acts appeal more to the Academia. We have in ancient literature, especially Greek literature, a
long series of fabulous histories attached to the names of

men
This

who made themselves famous
taste for the marvellous

either in arts or arms.

of Alexander

;

became general after the expedition and from that time down we have numerous
in the lives of Alexander, of Pythagoras, of

examples of

it

Apollonius of Tyana, of Homer, of Virgil, and others without number and we all know how much fabulous matter is apt
;

to gather

round the names of popular heroes even in modern

times.

be wondered at, then, that round the names and His apostles, who had brought about social changes greater than those effected by the exploits of any hero of old, there should gather, as the result of the wondering awe of simple-minded men, a growth of tlie romantic and the
It is not to

of Christ

fabulous.
stories came at length to form a sort of apostolic cycle, which the documents following are portions. They exist also in a Latin form in the ten books of the Acts of the Apostles, compiled probably in the sixth century, and falsely attributed to Abdias, the first bishop of Babylon, by whom it w^as, of course, written in Hebrew.

These

of

We

shall

now

give a brief account of each of the thirteen
this part of the volume.

documents which make up

This book I. The Ads of Peter and Paul. lished in a complete form by Thilo in 1837

was first puband 1838. A portion of it had already been translated into Latin by the famous Greek scholar Constantine Lascaris in 1490, and had been made use of in the celebrated controversy as to the situation of the island Melita, upon which St. Paul was ship^vrecked. For his edition Tischendorf collated six MSS., the oldest of the end of the ninth century. Some portions at least of the book are of an early date. The Lomine quo vadis story, p. 275, is referred to by Origen, and A book called the Acts of Peter is conothers after him. demned in the decree of Pope Gelasius.

—

INTRODUCTION.
II.

xv

antiquity.
o-iven

This book is of undoubted Acts of Paul and Thecla. There seems reason to accept the account of it

—

was written by an Asiatic presPaul (who, however, unquestionably occupies only a secondary place in it), and in support of the heretical opinion that women may teach and baptize. It is expressly mentioned and quoted by a long line of Latin and

by TertuUian, that

it

byter in glorification of

St.

Greek

fathers.

The quotations
first

are inserted in Tischendorf's

Frolegomena,

p. xxiv.

The
MS.,

text

was

edited in 1698

by Grabe from a Bodleian

republished by Jones in 1726.
Tischendorf's text
is

A blank

in the Bodleian

MS.

was supplied in 1715 by Thomas Hearne from another
from a recension of three

Oxford MS.

Paris Mss., each of the eleventh century.

III.

about

it

Acts of Barnabas. This book has more an air of truth than any of the others. There is not much extravadetails,

—

gance in the
the writer

and the geography is correct, showing that well. It seems to have been written at aU events before 478, in which year the body of Barnabas is said to have been found in Cyprus. Papebroche first edited the book in the Acta Sanctorum in The Vatican MS. which he 1698, with a Latin translation. Tischendorf's text is from a used was an imperfect one. Parisian MS. of the end of the ninth century.

knew Cyprus

this name was condemned and that the traditions about Philip were well known from an early date, is evident from the abundant references to them in ancient documents. The writings of the Hagiographers also, both Greek and Latin, con-

IV. Acts of Philip.

—A book under
;

in the decree of

Pope Gelasius

tain epitomes of Philip's

life.

The Greek
MSS.,

—a

text,

now

first

published,

is

a recension of two

Parisian one of the eleventh century, and a Venetian
latter is noticeable,

one.

The

the Fifteenth

Act

to

the end, leaving

from being superscribed From us to infer that we have

only a portion of the book.
V. Acts of Philip in Hellas.

— This

also is published for the

;

xvi

INTRODUCTION.

first time by Tiscliendorf. It is obviously a later document than the preceding, though composed in the same style. It is from a Parisian MS. of the eleventh century.

In the decree of Pope Gelasius book under this name is condemned as apocryphal. Epiphanius (f 403) states that the Acts of Andrew were in favour with the Encratites, the Apostolics, and the Origenians Augustine (f 430) mentions that the Acts of the Apostles written by Leucius Charinus discipulus didboli, as Pope
VI. Acts of Andreiv.
496), a
(t

—

Gelasius calls

him

— —were held in estimation by the Manichseans.
is

The authorship generally
writers; Innocentius
I.

attributed

to Leucius

by

early

(f

417), however, says that the Acts of

Andrew were composed by the philosophers Nexocharis and Leonidas. This book is much the same in substance with the
celebrated Preshyterorum
S.
et

Andrew

apostoli epistola encyclica, first edited in

Diaconorum Achaice de martyrio Greek by

Woog

and by him considered to be a genuine writing composed about a.d. 80. Thilo, while dissenting from this opinion of Woog's, concludes that it is a fragment from the Acts of Leucius, expurgated of most of its heresy, and put into its present shape by an orthodox writer. Cardinals Baronius and BeUarmine assign the epistle to the
in 1749,
of the apostolic age,
apostolic age
;

Eabricius thinks
is

it

much

later.

was written by Leucius, following earlier traditions, and that it was afterwards revised and fitted for general reading by an orthodox hand. Though some of the traditions mentioned in the book are referred to by authors of the beginning of the fifth century, there does not seem to be any undoubted quotation of it before the eighth and the tenth centuries. Some portions of PseudoAbdias, however, are almost in the words of our Greek Acts. The text is edited chiefly from two MSS., the one of the
that the book

The probability

—

eleventh, the other of the fourteenth century.

The Greek

of the original
skill.

is

good of the kind, and exhibits

considerable rhetorical

VII. Acts of Andrew and Matthias. Thilo assigns the authorship of these Acts also to Leucius, and the use of them

—

INTRODUCTION.
to

xvii

the Gnostics, ManicliEeans, and other heretics. PseudoAbdias seems to have derived his account of Andrew and Matthias from the same source. Epiphanius the monk, who wrote in the tenth century, gives extracts from the history. There is, besides, an old English commonly called AngloSaxon poem, Andrew and Helene, published by Jacob Grimm in 1840, the argument of which in great part coincides with that of the Acts of Andrew and Matthias. There is considerable doubt as to whether it is Matthias or Matthew that is spoken of. Pseudo-Abdias, followed by all the Latin %vriters on the subject, calls him Matthew. The Greek texts hesitate between the two. Tischendorf edits Matthias, on the authority of his oldest MS. There is also

—

—

say Sinope, others

name of the town. Some MSS. or Myrna they generally, however, coincide in calling it a town of Ethiopia. Thilo, and Tischendorf after him, made use chiefly of three
some discrepancy
as to the

Myrmene

:

one of which, of the fifteenth century, contains the whole book. The oldest is an uncial MS. of about the eighth
MSS., only

century.

The Acts

of Peter and

inserted as an appendix to the Acts of

Andrew, from the Bodleian MS., are Andrew and Matthias.
is

for the first time.

VIII. Acts of Mattheio. It is a

—This book
much

edited

by Tischendorf
than the
last,

later production

written in bad Greek, and in a style rendered very cumbrous

by the use

of participial phrases.

On
is

the authority of the oldest MS., Matthew, not Matthias,

the

name

here.

It

is

probably owing to this confusion
is

between the names, that there traditions regarding St. Matthew.

much

uncertainty in

the

Tischendorf gives, in his Prolegomena, a long extract from
Nicephorus, which shows that he was acquainted with this
book, or something very like
it.

The

text

is

edited from

two

MSS.,

—
it

a Parisian of the eleventh

century, and a Viennese of a later date.

IX. Acts of Thomas.
antiquity,

—The substance
form
b

and in

its

original

of this book is of great was held in great estima-

X viii

IN TROD UCTION.
first

tion \)j the heretics of the

and second

centuries.

main heresy which
by Epiphanius,

it

contained was that the Apostle

The Thomas

baptized, not with water, but with oil only.
Turribius,

It is mentioned and Mcephorus, condemned in the

decree of Gelasius, and in the Synopsis of Scripture ascribed to

Athanasius, in which it is placed, along wdth the Acts of Peter, Acts of John, and other books, among the Antilegomena. St. Augustine in tliree passages refers to the book in such a way as to show that he had it in something very like its present form. Two centuries later, Pseudo-Abdias made a recension of the book, rejecting the more heretical portions, and adapting it generally to orthodox use. Photius attributes the authorship of this document, as of many other apocryphal Acts, to Leucius
Charinus,

The Greek text was
translation
is

first

edited,

with copious notes and pro-

legomena, by Thilo in 1823.

The text from which the present

made

is

a recension of five Mss., the oldest of the

tenth century,

the preceding book,

X, Consummation of TJiomas. This is properly a portion of Pseudo-Abdias follows it very closely,

—

but the Greek of some chapters of his translation or compilation has not yet been discovered.

The

text, edited

by Tischendorf

for the first time, is

from a

MS, of the eleventh century.

the

XI, Martyrdom of Bartholomew. This Greek text, now for first time edited by Tischendorf, is very similar to the
of

—

account

Bartholomew in Pseudo-Abdias,
is it it

The

editor is

inclined to believe, not that the Greek text

a translation of

Abdias, which

probably

is,

but that both

and Abdias are

derived from the same source,

Tischendorf seems inclined to

lay some weight upon the mention

Crato, said to be a disciple of the Apostles

made by Abdias of a certain Simon and Judas,

having written a voluminous history of the apostles, which was translated into Latin by Julius Africanus, The whole
story,

however,

is

absurd.

It is very improbable that Julius
;

Africanus

knew any

Latin

it is

possible, however, that

have compiled some

stories of the apostles, that these

he may may have

INTRODUCTION.

xix

been translated into Latin, and that Pseudo-Crato and PseudoAbdias may have derived some of their materials from this
source.

The Greek text
teenth century.

is

edited from a Venetian MS. of the thir-

is

XII. Acts of Thaddcetis. This document, of which our text the editio princeps, is of some consequence, as giving in another form the famous letters of Christ to Abgarus. Eusebius
(H. E.
i.

—

13) says

viTfitten

by

their

own

he found in the archives of Edessathe letters hands, and that he translated them from
story of the portrait

the Syriac.
It is

The

was a

later invention.

found in Pseudo-Abdias (x. 1), and with great detail in There is considerable variety in the ii. 7). Nicephorus {H. They were probably written in Syriac in texts of the letters. the third century by some native of Edessa, who wished to add to the importance of his city and the antiquity of his church. See the whole subject discussed in Dr. Cureton's Ancient Syriac

K

Documents
Edessa.

relative to the earliest establishment of Christianity in

The Greek

text,

which

is

probably of the sixth or seventh

century, seems, from allusions to the synagogue, the hours of
prayer, the Sabbath-day,
It is edited
etc., to have been written by a Jew. from a Paris MS. of the eleventh century, and a

Vienna one

of a later date.

book under this title is mentioned by XIII. Acts of John. Eusebius, Epiphanius, Photius, among Greek writers Augustine, Philastrius, Innocent I., and Turribius among Latin writers.
;

—A

The two
tical

Leucius, discipulus diaboli,

named and Photius ascribe the authorship to who got the credit of all these hereIt is not named in the decree of Gelasius. brochures.
last

Augustine {Tractat. 124 in Johannem) relates at length the John going down alive into his grave, and of the fact of his being alive being shown by his breath stirring about the dust on the tomb. This story, which has some resemblance to
story of

the Teutonic legend of Barbarossa,

There

is

a Latin

Melitonis liber

is repeated by Photius. document published by Fabricius, Pseudode Fassione S. Johannis Evangelistce, which the

XX

INTRODUCTION.

author professed to write with the original of Leucius before
his eyes.
It has considerable resemblances in

some passages

to the present text.

The only passages

in Pseudo-Abdias that

appear to have any connection with the present document are
those which refer to the apostle's burial.

The text is edited from a Paris MS. of the eleventh century, and a Vienna one, to which no date is assigned. It is doubtful whether the narrative part of the Acts of John be by the same hand as the discourses.

PAET

III.—APOCEYPHAL

APOCALYPSES.

This portion of the volume, extending from page 454 to the
end, consists of seven documents, four of

Apocalypses by their authors.

Of

these, the
;

which are called Greek text of

the first three is edited for the first time the fourth, the Apocalypse of John, has appeared before. The fifth, The Tailing Asleep of Mary, appears for the first time in its Greek form, and in the first Latin recension of it. The MSS. of these documents are characterized by extreme variety of readings and in some of them, especially the earlier portion of the Apocalypse of Esdras, the text is in a very
;

corrupt state.
I. The Apocalypse of Ifoses. This document belongs to the Apocrypha of the Old Testament rather than to that of the New. We have been unable to find in it any reference to any

—

Christian writing.
of

In

its

form, too,
it

it

appears to be a portion

some

larger work.

Parts of

date, as it is very likely

an ancient from this source that the writer of
at least are of

the Gospel of Nicodemus took the celebrated legend of the Tree of Life and the Oil of Mercy. An account of this legend
will be found in Cowper"s ApocrijpJial Gospels, xcix.-cii.
;

in

Maury, Croyances ct Lerjcndes de VAntiquite, p. 294; in Eenan's commentary to the Syriac text of the Penitence of Adam, edited and translated by Eenan in the Journal Asiatique for 1853. There appeared a poetical rendering of the legend in Blackwood's Magazine ten or twelve years ago.

INTRODUCTION.
Tischendorf s text
is

xxi

four MSS. A, a Venice MS. and C, Vienna MSS. of the thirteenth and twelfth centuries respectively and D, a Milan MS.
:

made from
;

of the thirteenth century

B

;

of about the eleventh century.

This book is a weak imitabook of Esdras. Thilo, in his prolegomena to the Acts of Thomas, p. Ixxxii., mentions it, and doubts whether it be the fourth book of Esdras or not. Portions of it were published by Dr. Hase of the Paris Library, and it was then seen that it was a different production. The MS. is of about the fifteenth century, and in the earlier portions
II.

Tlie

Apocalypse of Esdras.

—

tion of the apocryphal fourth

very

difficult to read.

There are two apocryphal III. The Apocalypse of Paul. books bearing the name of Paul mentioned by ancient writers

—

:

The Ascension of Paul, adopted by the Cainites and the Gnostics and the Apocalypse of Paul, spoken of by Augus;

There seems to be no doubt that the preby Tischendorf in 1843, and published by him in 1866, is the book mentioned by Augustine and Sozomen. It is referred to by numerous authorities, one of whom, however, ascribes it to the heretic Paul of Samosata, the founder
tine

and Sozomen,

sent text, discovered

of the sect of the Paulicians.

in Coptic, Syriac, and from an Urumiyeh MS., was translated into English by an American missionary in
it

There appear to be versions of

Arabic.

One

of the Syriac versions,

1864.

This translation, or the greater portion of

it, is

printed

by Tischendorf along with his edition of the text. Tischendorf, upon what seems to be pretty good evidence,
ascribes
earlier
it to the year 380. It is from a Milan MS. of not than the fifteenth century. There is another MS. two
;

centuries older
original.

but they both seem to be copied from the same to be later than the Greek, and, accordiog to Eastern fashion, fuUer in details.

The Syriac seems

IV. The Ap>ocalypse of John.

—In the

scholia to the

Grammar

of Dionysius the Thracian, ascribed to the ninth century, im-

mediately after the ascription of the Apocalypse of Paul to

xxii

INTRODUCTION.
:

Paul of Samosata, there occurs the following statement ' And there is another called the Apocalypse of John the Theologian. We do not speak of that in the island of Patmos, God forbid, for it is most true but of a supposititious and spurious one/
;

the oldest reference to this Apocalypse. Asseman says he found the book in Arabic in three mss. The document was first edited by Birch in 1804, from a

This

is

Vatican

MS.,

collated

with a Vienna MS.

For his edition

Tischendorf collated other five mss., two of Paris, three of Vienna, of from the fourteenth to the sixteenth centiu-y.

Of other Apocalypses, Tischendorf in his Prolegomena gives an abstract of the Apocalypse of Peter, the Apocalypse of Bartholomew, the Apocalypse of Mary, and the Apocalypse of Daniel. The Apocalypse of Peter professes to be written by Clement. There is an Arabic MS; of it in the Bodleian Library. It is called the Perfect Book, or the Book of Perfection, and
consists of eighty-nine chapters, comprising a history of the world as revealed to Peter, from the foundation of the world to

the appearing of Antichrist.

Library,

The Apocalypse of Bartholomew, from a MS. in the Paris was edited and translated by Dulaurier in 1835. The

translation appears in Tischendorf s Prolegomena.

The Apocalypse of Mary, containing her descent to the lower world, appears in several Greek MSS. It is of a late date, the work of some monk of the middle ages. The Apocalypse of Daniel, otherwise called the Eevelation
of the Prophet Daniel about the
also of a late date.

About the

half of the

consummation of the world, is Greek text is given
it

in the Prolegomena.
translate
it.

We

have not thought

necessary to

It is' somewhat v., VI., VII. The Assumption of Mary. strange that the Greek text of this book, which has been trans-

—

lated into several languages both of the East
is

and the West,
assigns
it

edited

by Tischendorf

for the first time.

He

to

book under this The author of title is condemned in the decree of Gelasius. the Second Latin Form (see p. 522, note), writing under the name of Melito, ascribes the authorship of a treatise on the
a date not later than the fourth century.

A

INTRODUCTION.
same subject
to Leucius.

xxiii

This, however, cannot be the

book

so ascribed to Leucius, as Pseudo-Melito affirms that his book,

which is in substance the same to condemn Leucius' heresies.
Sahidic,

as the

Greek

text,

was written

There are translations or recensions of our text in Syriac,

and Arabic.
in

The Syriac was edited and translated
Contributions

to the Apocryphal Another recension of it was published in the Journal of Sacred Literature for January and April 1864. An Arabic version of it, resembling more the Syriac than the Greek or Latin, was edited and translated by Enger in 1854, The Sahidic recension, published and translated by Zoega and Dulaurier, is considerably different from our present texts. The numerous Latin recensions also differ considerably from each other, as will be seen from a comparison of the First Latin Form with the Second. They are all, however, from the same source, and that probably the Greek text which we have translated. The Greek texts, again, exhibit

by Wright

1865, in his

Literature of the

New

Testament.

considerable variations, especially in the latter portions.

In the end of the seventh century, John Archbishop of
Thessalonica wrote a discourse on the falling asleep of Mary, mainly derived from the book of Pseudo-John; and in some
MSS. this treatise of

John

of Thessalonica

is

ascribed to

John

the Apostle.

Epiphanius, however, makes distinctive mention
text,

of both treatises.

For his edition of the Greek
five MSS.,

Tischendorf

made use

of

the oldest of the eleventh century.

The

First Latin

Form

is

edited from three Italian mss., the

oldest of the thirteenth century.

The Second Latin Form, which has been previously published
elsewhere,
is

from a Venetian MS. of the fourteenth century.

We have now concluded our notices, compiled chiefly from Tischendorf 's Prolegomena, of the Apocryphal Literature of the New Testament.
While these documents
value, as giving evidence
are

of considerable

interest

and

widespread feeling in early times of the importance of the events which form the basis of our belief, and as affording us curious glimpses of the state of
of a

xxiv

INTRODUCTION.

the Christian conscience, and of modes of Christian thought, in the first centuries of our era, the predominant impression

which they leave on our minds

is a profound sense of the immeasurable superiority, the unapproachable simplicity and

majesty, of the Canonical Writings.
St.

Andrews,

26<A

March

1870.

THE PROTEYANGELIUM OF JAMES.

THE BIRTH OF MARY THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD, AND VERY GLORIOUS MOTHER OF JESUS CHRIST.

N

the records

of the

Joachim, a

man

rich exceedingly
:

twelve tribes of Israel was and he brought
;

There shall be of my superabundance to all the people, and there shaU be the offering for my forgiveness ^ to the Lord for a propitiation for me.' For the great day of the Lord was at hand, and the
his offerings double/ saying

sons of Israel were bringing their offerings.

And
meet

there stood

over against

him Eubim, saying

:

It is not

for thee first

to bring thine offerings, because thou hast not
Israel."*

made seed

in

And Joachim was

exceedingly grieved, and went away

to the registers of the twelve tribes of the people, saying: I
shall see the registers of the

twelve tribes of Israel, as to

whether I alone have not made seed in Israel. And he searched, and found that all the righteous had raised up seed in Israel. And he called to mind the patriarch Abraham, that in the last day^ God gave him a son Isaac. And Joacliim was exceedingly grieved, and did not come into the presence of his wife but he
;

'

Susanna

i.

4.

2
is
:

The readings

vary,

and the sense
I

is

doubtful.

Thilo thinks that the sense
is for

What

I ofEer
;

over and above what the law requires

the benefit of the

whole people
to me.
3

but the offering

make

for

my oWn

forgiveness (according to

the law's requirements) shall be to the Lord, that

He may

be rendered merciful

liberality is

The Church of Eome appoints March 20 as the Feast of St. Joachim. His commemorated in the prayers, and the lessons to be read are Wisd.
i.

xxxi. and Matt.
*
•

1

*

Sam. i. 6, 7 Hos. ix. 14. Another reading is In his last davs.
;
:

: !

2

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
and there pitched his
:

retired to the desert,^

tent,

and fasted forty

days and forty nights/ saying in liimself I will not go down either for food or for drink until the Lord my God shall look

upon me, and prayer
2.

shall be

my

food and drink.
in

And
;

his wife

Anna^ mourned

two mournings, and

lamented in two lamentations, saying: I shall bewail my widowhood I shall bewail my childlessness. And the great day of the Lord was at hand and Judith * her maid-servant said How long dost thou humiliate thy soul? Behold, the great day of the Lord is at hand, and it is unlawful for thee to mourn. But take this head-band, which the woman that made it gave to me; for it is not proper that I should wear it, because And I am a maid-servant, and it has a royal appearance.^ Anna said Depart from me for I have not done such things, and the Lord has brought me very low. I fear that some wicked person has given it to thee, and thou hast come to make me a sharer in thy sin. And Judith said Why should I curse thee, seeing that^ the Lord hatli shut thy womb, so as not to
;
:

;

:

give thee fruit in Israel

And Anna was grieved exceedingly, ? and put off her garments of mourning, and cleaned her head, and put on her wedding garments, and about the ninth hour went down to the garden to walk. And she saw a laurel, and God of our sat under it, and prayed to the Lord, saying: fathers, bless me and hear my prayer, as Thou didst bless the womb of Sarah, and didst give her a son Isaac' 3. And gazing towards the heaven, she saw a sparrow's nest in the laurel,^ and made a lamentation in herself, saying: Alas who begot me ? and what womb produced me ? because I have become a curse in the presence of the sons of Israel, and I have been reproached, and they have driven me in derision out of the temple of the Lord. Alas to what have I been likened ?
!

1

^

Another reading is Moses Ex. xxiv.
:

:

Into the hill-country.

18, xxxiv.

28

;

Deut.

ix.

9.

Elijah

:

1

Kings

xix.

S.

Christ
3
^

:

Matt.

iv. 2.

The 26th

ot

July

is

the Feast of St.

Anna

in the Church of

Eome.

^

Other forms of the name are Juth, Juthin. Some Mss. have For I am thy maid-servant, and thou hast a regal appear:

ance.
'*

Several mss. insert
Cf. 1

:

Thou

hast not listened to

my

voice
s

;

for.
ii.

1

Sam.

i.

9-18.

Tobit

10.

THE PROTEVANGELIUM OF JAMES.
I

3

am

of the

not like the fowls of the heaven, because even the fowls Lord. Alas to heaven are productive before Thee,
!

what have I been likened
earth, because

?

I

am

not like the beasts of the

even the beasts of the earth are productive beAlas to what have I been likened ? I am not like these waters, because even these waters are proAlas to what have I been Lord. ductive before Thee, likened ? I am not like this earth, because even the earth Lord.-^ bringeth forth its fruits in season, and blesseth Thee, 4. And, behold, an angel of the Lord stood by, saying: Anna, Anna, the Lord hath heard thy prayer, and thou shalt conceive, and shalt bring forth and thy seed shall be spoken of in all the And Anna said As the Lord my God liveth, if I beget world. either male or female, I wiU bring it as a gift to the Lord my God and it shall minister to Him in holy things all the days And, behold, two angels came, saying to her Beof its lile.^ For an hold, Joachim thy husband is coming with his flocks.^ angel of the Lord went down to him, saying Joachim, Joachim, Go down hence for, bethe Lord God hath heard thy prayer. And Joachim went dow^n hold, thy wife Anna shall conceive. and called his shepherds, saying: Bring me hither ten she-lambs without spot or blemish, and they shall be for the Lord my God; and bring me twelve tender calves, and they shall be for the and a hundred goats for aU the people. priests and the elders And, behold, Joachim came with his flocks and Anna stood by the gate, and saw Joachim coming, and she ran and hung upon his neck, saying Now I know that the Lord God hath for, behold, the widow no longer a blessed me exceedingly And Joachim widow, and I the childless shall conceive.
fore Thee,

Lord.

!

!

;

:

;

:

:

;

;

;

:

;

rested the
5.

first

day in his house.

And on

the following day he brought his offerings, saying

in himself: If the Lord

God has been
Alas
to

rendered gracious to me,

the plate* on the priest's forehead will
1

make
I

it

manifest to me.

been likened ? I am not like the waves of the sea, because even the waves of the sea, in calm and Lord. storm, and the fishes in them, bless Thee, 2 1 Sam. i. 11.

Many

of the Mss. here

add

:

!

what have

of the mss. With his shepherds, and sheep, and goats, and oxen. Ex. xxviii. 32. For traditions about the petalon, see Euseb. B. E. ii. 23, Epiph. Har. 78. iiL 31, V. 24
^

One

:

*

;

4

THE ArOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
Joacliim brought his offerings, and observed attentively

And

when he M^ent up to the altar of the Lord, and he saw no sin in himself. And Joachim said Now I know that the Lord has been gracious unto me, and has remitted all my sins. And he went down from the temple of the Lord justified, and departed to his own house. And her months were fulfilled, and in the ninth ^ month Anna brought forth.
the priest's plate
:

And

she said to the midwife
:

she said
this day.
fulfilled,

A girl. And
And
Anna was

said

she laid

What have I brought forth ? and Anna My soul has been magnified her down. And the days having been
: :

purified,

and gave the breast to the

child,

and^ called her name Mary.
6. And the child grew strong day by day and when she was six ® months old, her mother set her on the ground to try whether she could stand, and she walked seven steps and came into her bosom and she snatched her up, saying As the Lord my God liveth, thou shalt not walk on this earth until I bring
;

;

:

thee into the temple of the Lord.
in her bed-chamber,
to pass

And

she

made

a sanctuary

and allowed nothing common or unclean

through her.

And

she called the undefiled daughters

and they led her astray.* And when she was a year old, Joachim made a great feast, and invited the priests, and the scribes, and the elders, and all the people of Israel. And Joachim brought the child to the priests and they blessed her, saying: God of our fathers, bless this child, and give
of the Hebrews,
;

her an everlasting
all

name
:

to be
it,

named
it,

in all generations.

And

the people said

So be
;

so be

amen.

And

he brought
:

her to the chief priests and they blessed her, saying God most high, look upon this child, and bless her with the utmost blessing, which shall be for ever. And her mother snatched her up, and took her into the sanctuary of her bed-chamber, and gave her the breast. And Anna made a song to the Lord God, saying I will sing a song to the Lord my God, for He hath looked upon me, and hath taken away the reproach of mine enemies and the Lord hath given me the fruit of His
:

;

1

Various readings are

:

Sixth, seventh, eighth.
:

^ 3
*

One One
This

of the mss. inserts

On

the eighth day.

of the Mss. has nine.
is

the reading of most mss.
:

;

but

it is difficult

to see
:

One

MS. reads

They attended on

her.

Fabricius proposed

any sense in it They bathed her.

;

7 HE

PROTE VA NGELI UM OF JA MES.
Eubim

5

rigliteousness, singular in its kind,

Him.

Who

will tell the sons of

and richly endowed before that Anna gives suck ?

And

Hear, hear, ye twelve tribes of Israel, that Anna gives suck. she laid her to rest in the bed-chamber of her sanctuary,

and went out and ministered unto them. And when the suj^per was ended, they went down rejoicing, and glorifying the God
of Israel.^
7. And her months were added was two years old, and Joachim

to the child.

And

the child

said

:

Let us take her up to

the temple of the Lord, that we may pay the vow that we have vowed, lest perchance the Lord send to us,^ and our offering be not received. And Anna said: Let us wait for the third
year, in order that the child

may
:

not seek for father or mother.

So let us wait. And the child was three Invite the daughters of the years old, and Joachim said Hebrews that are undefiled, and let them take each a lamp, and let them stand with the lamps burnmg, that the child may not turn back, and her heart be captivated from the temple of the Lord. And they did so until they went up into the temple And the priest received her, and kissed her, and of the Lord. blessed her, saying The Lord has magnified thy name in all In thee, on the last of the days, the Lord will generations. manifest His redemption to the sons of Israel. And he set her down upon the third step of the altar, and the Lord God sent grace upon her and she danced with her feet, and aU the house

And Joachim

said

:

:

;

of Israel loved her.
8. And her parents went down marvelling, and praising the Lord God, because the child had not turned back. And Mary was in the temple of the Lord as if she were a dove that dwelt And there, and she received food from the hand of an angel. when she was twelve ^ years old there was held a council of the

priests, saying:

Behold,

years in the temple of the Lord.
1

Mary has reached the age of twelve What then shall we do with
tliey

Two

of the Mss.

add

:

And

name
fade

shall not fade for ever.
is

This derivation of the name

gave her the name of Mary, because her from the root mar,

—

one of a dozen or so. 2 This is taken to mean Send some one to us to warn us that we have been One Ms. reads, lest the Lord depart from us too long in paying our vow. Lord move away from us. another, lest the 2 Or, fourteen. Postel's Latin version has ten.
:

—

:

6

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.

And lier, lest perchance she defile the sanctuary of the Lord ? they said to the high priest Thou standest by the altar of the Lord go in, and pray concerning her and whatever the Lord And the high shall manifest unto thee, that also will we do. priest went in, taking the robe ^ with the twelve bells into the holy of holies and he prayed concerning her. And behold an angel of the Lord stood by him, saying unto him Zacharias,
:

;

;

;

:

Zacharias, go out and assemble the widowers of the people,
let
;

and them bring each his rod and to whomsoever the Lord shall show a sign, his wife shall she be. And the heralds went out

through all the circuit of Judea, and the trumpet of the Lord sounded, and all ran. 9. And Joseph, throwing away his axe, went out to meet

and when they had assembled, they went away to the taking with them their rods. And he, taking the rods of all of them, entered into the temple, and prayed and having ended his prayer, he took the rods and came out, and gave them to them but there was no sign in them, and Joseph took his rod last and, behold, a dove came out of the rod, and And the priest said to Joseph, Thou flew upon Joseph's head. hast been chosen by lot to take into thy keeping the virgin of the Lord. But Joseph refused, saying I have children, and I am an old man, and she is a young girl. I am afraid lest I become a laughing-stock to the sons of Israel. And the priest said to Joseph Fear the Lord thy God, and remember what the Lord did to Dathan, and Abiram, and Korah ^ how the earth opened, and they were swallowed up on account of their And now fear, Joseph, lest the same things contradiction. happen in thy house. And Joseph was afraid, and took her And Joseph said to Mary Behold, I have into his keeping. received thee from the temple of the Lord and now I leave thee in my house, and go away to build my buildings, and I The Lord will protect thee. shall come to thee. 10. And there was a council of tlie priests, saying: Let us

them
high

;

priest,

;

:

;

:

:

;

:

;

make

a veil for the temple of the Lord.

And

the priest said

Call to
officers

me

undefiled virgins of the family of David.

And

the

went away, and sought, and found seven virgins. And the priest remembered the child Mary, that she was of the
'

Ex. xxviii. 28

;

Sirach xlv. 9

;

Justin, Tryph.

xlii.

^

]Nfum. xvi. 31.

:

THE PROTEVANGELIUM OF JAMES.
went away and brought
temple of the Lord.
lot

7

family of David, and undefiled before God. And the officers her. And they brought them into the

Choose for me by and the white,^ and the fine linen, and the silk, and the blue,^ and the scarlet, and the true And the true purple and the scarlet fell to the lot of purple.^ And Mar}'-, and she took them, and went away to her house. at that time Zacharias was dumb, and Samuel was in his place

And

the priest said

:

who

shall spin the gold,

until the time
scarlet,

that
it.

Zacharias spake.

And Mary

took the

and span

she took the pitcher, and went out to fill it with And, behold, a voice saying Hail, thou who hast received grace the Lord is with thee blessed art thou among women !* And she looked round, on the right hand and on And she went away, the left, to see whence this voice came. trembling, to her house, and put down the pitcher and taking the purple, she sat down on her seat, and drew it out. And, behold, an angel of the Lord stood before her, saying Fear not, Mary for thou hast found grace before the Lord of all, and thou shalt conceive, according to His word. And she hearing, reasoned with herself, saying Shall I conceive by the Lord, the living God ? and shall I bring forth as every woman brings And the angel of the Lord said Not so, Mary for forth ? the power of the Lord shall overshadow thee wherefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of the Most High. And thou shalt call His name Jesus, And Mary said for He shall save His people from their sins. Behold, the servant of the Lord before His face let it be unto
11.

And

water.

:

;

;

;

:

;

:

:

;

:

:

me

according to thy word.

12.

And

she

made

the purple and the scarlet, and took
:

them

to the priest.

Mary, the Lord God hath magnified thy name, and thou shalt be blessed And Mary, with great joy, in all the generations of the earth. went away to Elizabeth her kinswoman,' and knocked at the And when Elizabeth heard her, she threw away the door.
the priest blessed her, and said
•

And

Lit., undefiled.

It is difficult to say

what colour

is

meant, or

if it is

a

colour at aU.
colour.
2

It is

The word is once used also the name of a stone
3

to

mean
*

the sea, but with no reference to

of a greenish hue.

Lit., hyacinth.

Ex. xxv.

4.

Luke

i.

28.

5

Luke

i.

39.

8
scarlet/

THE APOCliYPIIAL GOSPELS.
and ran
to the door,

and seeing Mary, mother of my Lord should come to me ? for, behold, that which is in me leaped and blessed thee.^ But Mary had forgotten the mysteries of which the archangel Gabriel had spoken, and

and opened

it

;

she blessed her, and said:

Whence

is this

to me, that the

gazed up into heaven, and said Who am I, the generations of the earth should bless me
:

Lord, that all
?^

And

she re-

mained three months with Elizabeth and day by day she grew And Mary being afraid, went away to her own house, bigger. and hid herself from the sons of Israel. And she was sixteen*
;

years old
13.

when

And

these mysteries happened, she was in her sixth month; and, behold, Joseph
his building, and, entering into his house,

came back from

he

discovered that she was big with child.

And he

smote* his

face,^ and threw himself on the ground upon the sackcloth, and wept bitterly, saying With what face shall I look upon the Lord my God ? and what prayer shall I make about this maiden ? because I received her a virgin out of the temple of the Lord, and I have not watched over her. Who is it that Wlio has done this evil thing in my has hunted me^ down ? Has not the history of Adam house, and defiled the virgin ? been repeated in me ? Tor just as Adam was in the hour of his singmg praise," and the serpent came, and found Eve alone, "and completely deceived her, so it has happened to me also. And Joseph stood up from the sackcloth, and called Mary, and said to her O thou who hast been cared for by God, why hast thou done this, and forgotten the Lord thy God ? Why hast thou brought low thy soul, thou that wast brought up in the holy of hohes, and that didst receive food from And she wept bitterly, saying I the hand of an angel ? am innocent, and have known no man. And Joseph said to her Whence then is that which is in thy womb ? And she
:
:

:

:

^
""

Other readings are

:

the wool

—what she had in her liand.
^

Luke

i.

43.
\\a.we

L^ke

i.

56.

•

Six Mss.

sixteen ; one, fourteen

;

two,

f/teen ;

and one,

seventeen.

^ 6
7

The Latin

translation has
;

hung down.

Ezek. xxi. 12

Jer. xxxi. 19.

Two

MSS.

:

her.
is
:

*

Another reading

ing of praise (doxology) to

As Adam was in Pai-adise, and God was with the angels, the

in the hour of the singserpent, etc.

:

THE PROTEVANGELIUM OF JAMES.
said
:

9

As

the Lord

my God

liveth, I

do not

know whence

it is

to me.
1 4.

And Joseph was

greatly afraid, and retired from her, and

considered what he should do in regard to her.^

And

Joseph

said: If I conceal her sin, I find myself fighting against the

and if I expose her to the sons of Israel, I am which is in. her be from an angel,^ and I shall be found giving up innocent blood to the doom of death. What I will put her away from me then shall I do with her ? And night came upon him and, behold, an angel of secretly. the Lord appears to him in a dream, saying Be not afraid for and this maiden, for that which is in her is of the Holy Spirit she wiU bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call His name Jesus, And Joseph for He will save His people from their sins.^ arose from sleep, and glorified the God of Israel, who had given him this grace and he kept her. Why hast 15. And Annas the scribe came to him, and said thou not appeared in our assembly ? And Joseph said to him Because I was weary from my journey, and rested the first day. And he turned, and saw that Mary was with child. And he ran away to the priest,^ and said to him Joseph, whom thou And the didst vouch for, has committed a grievous crime. And he said He has defiled the virgin priest said How so ? whom he received out of the temple of the Lord, and has married her by stealth, and has not revealed it to the sons of Has Joseph done this ? Israel. And the priest answering, said Then said Annas the scribe Send officers, and thou wilt find the virgin with child. And the officers went away, and found and they brought her along with Joseph to it as he had said the tribunal. And the priest said Mary, why hast thou done this ? and why hast thou brought thy soul low, and forgotten the Lord thy God ? Thou that wast reared in the holy of holies, and that didst receive food from the hand of an angel, and didst hear the hymns, and didst dance before Him, why hast thou done this ? And she wept bitterly, saying As the
law of the Lord
afraid lest that
; ;
: ;

;

:

:

:

:

:

:

;

:

:

1

Matt.

i.

18.
;

2 Lit.,

angelic; one MS. has holy
it

the Latin translation, following a slightly
*

different reading, that
3

would not

he /air to her.

Matt.

i.

20.

Three Mss. have high

priest.

;

10

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
my God
liveth, I am pure before Him, and know not a And the priest said to Joseph Why hast thou done And Joseph said As the Lord liveth, I am pure con: :

Lord man.
this
?

cerning her.

and hast not revealed it to the sons of Israel, and hast not bowed thy head under the strong hand, that thy seed might be blessed. And Joseph was silent. 16. And the priest said: Give up the virgin whom thou didst receive out of the temple of the Lord. And Joseph burst into tears. And the priest said I will give you to drink of the water of the ordeal of the Lord,^ and He shall make manifest your sins in your eyes. And the priest took the water, and gave Joseph to drink, and sent him away to the hill-country and he returned unhurt. And he gave to Mary also to drink, and sent her away to the hill-country and she returned unhurt. And all the people wondered that sin did not appear in them. And the priest said If the Lord God has not made manifest your sins, neither do I judge you. And he sent them away. And Joseph took Mary, and went away to his own house, rejoicing and glorifying the God of Israel. 1 7. And there was an order from the Emperor Augustus, that all in Bethlehem of Judea should be enrolled.^ And Joseph said: I shall enrol my sons, but what shall I do with this maiden ? How shall I enrol her ? As my wife ? I am ashamed. As my daughter then ? But all the sons of Israel laiow that The day of the Lord shall itself bring she is not my daughter. And he saddled the ass, and set it to pass^ as the Lord will. her upon it and his son led it, and Joseph followed.* And when they had come within three miles, Joseph turned and saw her sorrowful and he said to himself Likely that which And again Joseph turned and saw her is in her distresses her. And he said to her Mary, how is it that I see in laughing. thy face at one time laughter, at another sorrow ? And Mary said to Joseph Because I see two peoples with my eyes the
stealth,
:

speak the truth.

Then said the priest Bear not Thou hast married her by
:

false witness,

but

;

:

;

;

:

:

:

;

'

•*

Num. V. Or On
:

11.

2

i^^xte

ii.

1.

this

day of the Lord
is
:

I

will do, etc.

*

Another reading

And

his son

Samuel led

it,

and James and Simon

followed.

::

THE PROTEVANGELIUM OF JAMES.

11

ing.

one weeping and lamenting, and the other rejoicing and exultAnd they came into the middle of the road, and Marysaid to him Take me down from off the ass, for that which is And he took her down from off in me presses to come forth.
:

the ass, and said to her Whither shall I lead thee, and cover thy disgrace ? for the place is desert. 18. And he found a cave^ there, and led her into it; and leaving his two sons beside her, he went out to seek a midwife in the district of Bethlehem. And I Joseph was walking, and was not walking and I looked up into the sky, and saw the sky astonished; and I looked up to the pole of the heavens, and saw it standing, and
:

;

the bh'ds of the air keeping

still.

And

I looked

down upon

the earth, and saw a trough lying, and work-people reclining

and

their

hands were in the trough.

And

those that were
it

eating did not eat, and those that were rising did not carry

up, and those that were conveying anything to their mouths
it but the faces of all were looking upwards. saw the sheep walking, and the sheep stood still and the shepherd raised his hand to strike them, and his hand remained up. And I looked upon the current of the river, and I saw the mouths of the kids resting on the water and not drinking, and all things in a moment were driven from their

did not convey

;

And

I

;

course.
19. And I saw a woman coming down from the hill-country, man, whither art thou going ? And I and she said to me And she answered said I am seeking an Hebrew midwife. and said unto me: Art thou of Israel? And I said to her: Yes.
: :

And And

she said
I said
:

:

And who
?

is it

that

is

bringing forth in the cave ?

A woman betrothed
And

to me.
:

And
It is

she said to

me
was

Is she not thy wife

I said to her

Mary

that

reared in the temple of the Lord, and I obtained her by lot as
Tised to be overshadowed by agi-ove of Thammuz, i.e. and in the cave where Christ formerly wailed as an infant, they used to mourn for the beloved of Venus {Jerome to Paulhius). In his letter to Sabinianus the cave is repeatedly mentioned "That cave in which the Son of God was born;" "that venerable cave," etc., "within the door of what was once the Lord's manger, now the altar." "Then you run to the place of the shepherds." There appears also to have been above the altar the iigure of au
1
. . .

BetUehem
;

Adonis

:

angel, or angels.

See also Justin, Ti-yph. 78.

12

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
Avife.

my

And

yet she

is

not

my
:

wife,

but has conceived of
?

the Holy Spirit.

And
him.

the midwife said to
:

him

Is this true

And Joseph

said to her

went away with And they stood in the place of the cave, and behold a
see.

Come and

And

the midwife

luminous cloud overshadowed the cave. And the midwife said: My soul has been magnified this day, because mine eyes have seen strange things because salvation has been brought forth And immediately the cloud disappeared out of the to Israel. cave, and a great light shone in the cave, so that the eyes could

—

not bear

it.

And

in a little that light gradually decreased, until

the infant appeared, and went and took the breast from his

mother Mary.

And

the midwife cried out, and said

:

This

is

a

great day to me, because I have seen this strange sight.

And
her.

the midwife went forth out of the cave, and Salome

met

And

she said to her
:

relate to thee

Salome, Salome, I have a strange sight to a virgin has brought forth a thing which her
:

—

nature admits not of

Then

said Salome:

God
20.

liveth, unless I thrust in

my

finger,

As the Lord my and search the parts
:

I will not believe that a virgin has brought forth,

the midwife went in, and said to ]\Iary Show thyno small controversy has arisen about thee. And Salome put in her finger, and cried out, and said Woe is me for mine iniquity and mine unbelief, because I have tempted the living God; and, behold, my hand is dropping off as if burned with fire. And she bent her knees before the Lord, God of my fathers, remember that I am the seed of saying Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob do not make a show of me to
self;

And

for

:

:

;

the sons of Israel, but restore Lord, that in

me

to the poor; for

Thou knowest,

have performed my services, and And, behold, an that I have received my reward at Thy hand. angel of the Lord stood by her, saying to her Salome, Salome, the Lord hath heard thee. Put thy hand to the infant, and And Salome went carry it, and thou wilt have safety and joy. and carried it, saying I will worship Him, because a great King has been born to Israel. And, behold, Salome was immediately

Thy name

I

:

:

cured,

and she went forth out of the cave
:

justified.

And

be-

hold a voice saying

Salome, Salome,

tell

not the strange things

thou hast seen, until the child has come into Jerusalem.

THE PROTEVANGELIUM OF JAMES.
21,

13

And, behold, Joseph was ready to go into Judea. And commotion in Bethlehem of Judea, for Magi came, saying Where is he that is born king of the Jews ? for we have seen his star in the east, and have come to worship him. And when Herod heard, he was much disturbed, and And he sent for the priests, and sent officers to the Magi.
there was a great
:

examined them,. saying: How is it written about the Christ? where is He to be born ? And they said In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written.^ And he sent them away. And he examined the ]\Iagi, saying to them What sign have you seen And the Magi in reference to the king that has been bom ? said We have seen a star of great size shining among these stars, and obscuring their light, so that the stars did not appear; and we thus knew that a king has been bom to Israel, and we And Herod said: Go and seek have come to worship him. him and if you find him, let me know, in order that I also may go and worship him. And the Magi went out. And, behold, the star which they had seen in the east went before them until they came to the cave, and it stood over the top And the Magi saw the infant with His mother of the cave. Mary and they brought forth from their bag gold, and frankAnd having been warned by the angel incense, and myrrh. not to go into Judea, they went into their own country by
: : :

;

;

another road.^
22. And when Herod knew that he had been mocked by the Magi, in a rage he sent murderers, saying to them Slay the children* from two years old and under. And Mary, having
:

heard that the children were being killed, was
the infant and swaddled

afraid,

and took

Him, and put Him

into an ox-stall.

And Elizabeth, having heard that they were searching for John, took him and went up into the hiU-country, and kept looking where to conceal him. And there was no place of concealment. And Elizabeth, groaning with a loud voice, says
:

mountain
diately the
'

of

God, receive mother and
cleft,

child.

mountain was
:

and received

her.

And immeAnd a light
v. 2.

Two

Mss. here add
ii.

And

tliou Betlileliem, etc.,

from Mic.
ii.

'

Matt.

1-12.

One
all the

of the mss. here adds Matt.

13-15, with two or

three slight variations.
3

Four MSS. have

male children, as

in Matt.

ii.

16.

:

14

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.

shone about them, for an angel of the Lord was with them, watching over them. 23. And Herod searched for John, and sent officers to Zacharias, saying Where hast thou hid thy son ? And he, answering, said to them I am the servant of God in holy things, and I sit constantly in the temple of the Lord: I do not know where my son is. And the officers went away, and reported And Herod was enraged, and said all these things to Herod. His son is destined to be king over Israel. And he sent to him again, saying Tell the truth where is thy son ? for thou knowest that thy life is in my hand. And Zacharias said I am God's martyr, if thou sheddest my blood for the Lord will receive my spirit, because thou sheddest innocent blood at the vestibule of the temple of the Lord. And Zacharias was
: : : ;
:

;

murdered about daybreak. And the sons of Israel did not know that he had been murdered.^ 24. But at the hour of the salutation the priests went away, and Zacharias did not come fortli to meet them with a blessing,
according to his custom.^

And

the priests stood waiting for

Zacharias to salute liim at the prayer,^ and to glorify the Most

High.
altar

And

he

still

delaying, they were all afraid.
in,

But one

of

them ventured
;

to

go

and he saw
:

clotted blood beside the

and he heard a voice saying Zacharias has been murand his blood shall not be wiped up until his avenger come. And hearing this saying, he was afraid, and went out and told it to the priests. And they ventured in, and saw what had liappened and the fretwork of the temple made a wailing noise, and they rent their clothes* from the top even to the bottom. And they found not his body, but they found his blood turned into stone. And they were afraid, and went out and reported to the people that Zacharias had been murdered. And aU the tribes of the people heard, and mourned, and lamented for him three days and three nights. And after the three days, the priests consulted as to whom they should put
dered,
;
'

Another reading

is

:

And

Herod, enraged at

this,

ordered

in the midst of the altar before the dawn, that the slaying of

him to be slain him might not be

prevented by the peopic.
2

Lit. , the blessing of Zacharias did

not come forth,

etc.

2

Or, with prayer.

*

Another reading

is

:

And was

rent from the top,

etc.

THE PROTEVANGELIVM OF JAMES.
in his place
;

15

and the lot fell upon Simeon, For it was he who had been warned by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death until he should see the Christ in the flesh.^ 25. And I James that wrote this history in Jerusalem, a commotion having arisen when Herod died, withdrew myself to the wilderness until the commotion in Jerusalem ceased, glorifying the Lord God, who had given me the gift and the

wisdom
ages.
1

to write this history.

And

grace shall be with

them

that fear our Lord Jesus Christ, to

whom
ii.

be glory to ages of

Amen.^
ii.

Luke
The

26,

One

of the Mss. here adds Matt.

19-23, with two or three

verbal changes,
^

MSS. vary

much

in the doxology.

THE GOSPEL OF PSEUDO-MATTHEW.

EEE

beginneth the book of the Birth of the Blessed

Mary and the Infancy of the Saviour. Written in Hebrew by the Blessed Evangelist Matthew,
and translated into Latin
byter Jerome.

by the Blessed Pres-

To their well-beloved brother Jerome the Presbyter, Bishops Cromatius and Heliodorus in the Lord, greeting. The birth of the Virgin Mary, and the nativity and infancy of our Lord Jesus Christ, we find in apocryphal books. But them many things contrary to our faith are we have believed that they ought all to be rejected, lest perchance we should transfer the joy of Christ to Antichrist. While, therefore, we were considermg these things, there came holy men, Parmenius and Varinus, who said that your Holiness had found a Hebrew volume, written by the
considering that in
written,

hand

of the

most blessed Evangelist Matthew, in which

also

the birth of the virgin mother herself, and the infancy of our
Saviour, were written.
tion

And

accordingly

we

entreat your affec-

by our Lord Jesus Christ Himself,
into Latin,^ not so

to render it

from the

Hebrew

much

for -the attainment of those

things which are the insignia of Christ, as for the exclusion
of the craft of heretics, who, in order to teach bad doctrine, have mingled their own lies with the excellent nativity of Christ, that by the sweetness of life they might hide the bitterIt will therefore become your purest piety, ness of death. either to listen to us as your brethren entreating, or to let us have as bishops exacting, the debt of aftection which you may

deem

due.
'

Lit., to

Latin ears.
16

—
THE G OS PEL OF PSE UD 0-MA TTHE W.
Eeply
to their Letter
1

7

hy Jerome.

and most blessed Bishops Cromatius and Heliodorus, Jerome, a humble servant of Christ, in the Lord greeting. He who digs in ground where he knows that there is gold,^ does not instantly snatch at whatever the uptorn trench may pour forth but, before the stroke of the quivering spade raises aloft the glittering mass, he meanwhile lingers over the sods to turn them over and lift them up, and especially he who has not added to his gains. An arduous task is enjoined upon me, since what your Blessedness has commanded me, the holy Apostle and Evangelist Matthew himself did not write for the purpose For if he had not done it somewhat secretly, of publishing. he would have added it also to his Gospel which he published. But he composed this book in Hebrew and so little did he publish it, that at this day the book written in Hebrew by his own hand is in the possession of very religious men, to whom in successive periods of time it has been handed down by those And this book they never af any time that were before them. gave to any one to translate. And so it came to pass, that when it was published by a disciple of Manichseus named Leucius,

To

my

lords the holy

;

;

who

also

wrote the falsely styled Acts of the Apostles, this
;

book afforded matter, not of edification, but of perdition and the opinion of the Synod in regard to it was according to its deserts, that the ears of the church should not be open to it.
Let the snapping of those that bark against us

now

cease

;

for

we do

book to the canonical writings, but we translate what was ^VTitten by an apostle and evangelist, that
not add this
little

we may we obey
fulfil,

disclose the falsehood of heresy.

In this work, then,

the

commands

of pious bishops as well as oppose im-

pious heretics.

It is the love of Christ, therefore,

which we

believing that they will assist us

by

their prayers,
of

who

through our obedience attain to a knowledge
infancy of our Saviour.

the holy

There
to

is
:

extant another letter to the same bishops, attributed
Lit., conscious of gold.

Jerome

'

B

18

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
You
ask

me

to let

you know what J think
St.

of a

some
to

to

be about the nativity of

Mary.

And

so I

book held by wish you

know that there is much in it that is false. For one Seleucus, who wrote the Sufferings of the Apostles, composed this book.
But, just as he wrote what was true about their powers, and the miracles they worked, but said a great deal that was false

about their doctrine so here too he has invented many untruths out of his own head. I shall take care to render it word
;

for word, exactly as it is in the

that

Hebrew, since it is asserted was composed by the holy Evangelist Matthew, and written in Hebrew, and set at the head of his Gospel. Whether the this be true or not, I leave to the author of the preface and trustworthiness of the writer as for myself, I pronounce them doubtful I do not affirm that they are clearly false. But this I say freely— and I think none of the faithful will deny it—
it
:

;

that,

whether these

stories

be true or inventions, the sacred

nativity of St.

ceeded by the

Mary was preceded by -great miracles, and sucgreatest and so by those who believe that God
;

can do these things, they can be believed and read without damaging their faith or imperilling their souls. In short, so
far as I can, following the sense rather

than the words of the and sometimes walking in the same path, though not in the same footsteps, sometimes digressing a little, but still keeping the same road, I shall in this way keep by the style of the narrative, and shall say nothing that is not either written been there, or might, following the same train of thought, have
writer,

written.

Chap, 1.^—In those days there was a man in Jerusalem, Joachim by name, of the tribe of Judah. He was the shepherd and singleness of his own sheep, fearing the Lord in integrity He had no other care than that of his herds, from of heart. God, the produce of which he supplied with food all that feared laboured in offering double gifts in the fear of God to all who
son of Joseph, living in the of the Mss. have this prologiie I James, the the to pass God, have written all that with my own eyes I saw coming giving Saviour time of the nativity of the holy virgin Mary, or of the Lord the Advent, showthanks to God, who has given me wisdom in the accounts of His
1

Two

:

fear of

m

;

ing His abounding grace to the twelve tribes of Israel.

THE GOSPEL OF PSEUDO-MATTHEW.
doctrine,

19

and

his sheep,

and who ministered unto Him. Therefore his lambs, and his wool, and all things whatsoever he posused to divide into three portions
:

one he gave to the the second to those that worshipped God and the third he kept for himself and all his house.^ And as he did so, the Lord multiplied to
sessed, he

orphans, the widows, the strangers, and the poor
;

;

him

his herds, so that there

of Israel.

This

was no man like him in the people now he began to do when he was fifteen years old.
twenty he took to wife Anna, the daughter

And

at the age of

of Achar, of his

own

tribe, that

the family of David.

And

is, of the tribe of Judah, of though they had lived together for

twenty years, he had by her neither sons nor daughters.^
Chap.
2.

—And

it

happened

that, in the

time of the

feast,

among those who were
the priest,

offering incense to the Lord,

Joachim

stood getting ready his gifts in the sight of the Lord.
:

And

Euben by name, coming to him, said It is not lawful for thee to stand among those who are doing sacrifice to God, because God has not blessed thee so as to give thee seed Being therefore put to shame in the sight of the in Israel.
people, he retired from the temple of the Lord weeping,

and

did not return to his house, but went to his flocks, taking with

him

his shepherds into the

mountains

to a far country, so that

for five

months

his wife

Anna

could hear no tidings of him.
:

And
given

she prayed with tears, saying

Lord, most mighty

of Israel,

why

hast Thou, seeing that already

God Thou hast not
;

me children, taken from me my husband also ? Behold, now five months that I have not seen my husband and I know not where he is tarrying j^ nor, if I knew him to be dead, could I bury him. And wliile she wept excessively, she entered
into the court of His house

and she fell on her face in prayer, and poured out her supplications before the Lord. After this, rising from her prayer, and lifting her eyes to God, she saw a sparrow's nest in a laurel tree,^ and uttered her voice to the
;
'

Tobit

i.

7.
:

Only they vowed that, if God should give them offwould devote it to the service of the temple and because of this, they were wont to go to the temple of the Lord at each of the yearly festivals. 3 Another reading is Where he has died reading mortuus for moratus. * Cf. Tobit ii. 10.
2

One

of the Mss. hcos

spring, they

;

:

—

:

20

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
:

Lord with groaning, and said Lord God Almighty, who hast given offspring to every creature, to beasts wild and tame, to
serpents,

and

birds,

and

fishes,

and they

all rejoice

over their

young

ones,

Thou hast shut out me alone from the
For Thou,
God, knowest

gift of

Thy

benignity.

my

heart, that

beginning of

my married life I have vowed that, if God, shouldst give me son or daughter, I would offer them to Thee in Thy holy temple. And while she was thus speaking, suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared before her, saying Be
:

from the Thou,

not afraid, Anna, for there

is

seed for thee in the decree of God;

and

all

generations even to the end shall wonder at that which

shall be born of thee.

And when he had

thus spoken, he

vanished out of her

But she, in fear and dread because she had seen such a sight, and heard such words, at length went into her bed-chamber, and threw herself on the bed as if dead. And for a whole day and night she remained in great trembling and in prayer. And after these things she called to her her Dost thou see me deceived in my servant, and said to her widowhood and in great perplexity, and hast thou been unwilling to come in to me ? Then she, with a slight murmur, thus answered and said If God hath shut up thy womb, and hath taken away thy husband from thee, what can I do for thee ? And when Anna heard this, she lifted up her voice, and wept
sight.
:

:

aloud.

Chap.

3.

—At the same time there appeared a
:

young man on

the mountains to Joachim while he was feeding his flocks, and

Why dost thou not return to thy wife ? And said to him Joachim said I have had her for twenty years, and it has not been the will of God to give me children by her. I have been driven with shame and reproach from the temple of the Lord why should I go back to her, when I have been once cast off and utterly despised ? Here then will I remain with my sheep; and so long as in this life God is willing to grant me light, I shall willingly, by the hands of my servants, bestow their portions upon the poor, and the orphans, and those that fear God. And when he had thus spoken, the young man said to him I am an angel of the Lord, and I have to-day appeared to thy wife when she was weeping and praying, and have consoled
:
:

;:

THE GOSPEL OF PSEUDO-MATTHEW.
her
;

21

and know that she has conceived a daughter from thy seed, and thou in thy ignorance of this hast left her. She will be in the temple of God, and the Holy Spirit shall abide in her and her blessedness shall be greater than that of all the holy women, so that no one can say that any before her has been like her, or that any after her in this world will be so. Therefore go down from the mountains, and return to thy wife, whom thou wilt find with child. For God hath raised up seed in her, and for this thou wilt give God thanks and her seed shall be blessed, and she herself shall be blessed, and shall be made the mother
;
;

of eternal blessing.
to

him

:

If I

my
Do

tent,

Then Joachim adored the angel, and said have found favour in thy sight, sit for a little in and bless thy servant.^ And the angel said to him
;

not say servant, but fellow-servant for we are the servants of one Master.^ But my food is invisible, and my drink cannot be seen by a mortal. Therefore thou oughtest not to ask me to enter thy tent but if thou wast about to give me anything,^ offer it as a burnt-offering to the Lord. Then Joachim took a lamb without spot, and said to the angel I should not
;
:

have dared to offer a burnt-offering to tlie Lord, unless thy command had given me the priest's right of offering." And
the angel said to
unless I had

him I should not have invited thee to offer known the will of the Lord. And when Joachim
:

and the odour of the heaven with the smoke.^ Then Joachim, throwing himself on his face, lay in prayer from the sixth hour of the day even until evening. And his lads and hired servants who were with him saw him, and not knowing why he was lying down, thought that he w\as dead and they came to him, and with difficulty raised him from the ground. And when he recounted to them the vision of the angel, they were struck with great fear and wonder, and adsacrifice

was

offering the sacrifice to God, the angel

went together

straight

up

to

vised

him

to accomplish the vision of the angel without delay,

and to go back with all haste to his wife. And when Joachim was turning over in his mind whether he should go back or
1

*

xxiii. 4,

Gen. xviii. 3. ^ Rev. xix. 10. 3 Judg. xiii. 16. Faustus the Manichaean said that Joachim was of the tribe of Levi (August Contra Faustum). As belonging to the tribe of Judah, he had not the
Judg.
xiii. 20.

right of sacrifice.
5 Cf.

22
not, it

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
happened that he was overpowered by a deep sleep; who had already appeared to him when
:

and, behold, the angel

appointed by

awake, appeared to him in his sleep, saying I am the angel God as thy guardian go down with confidence,
:

and return to Anna, because the deeds of mercy which thou and thy wife Anna have done have been told in the presence of the Most High and to you will God give such fruit as no prophet or saint has ever had from the beginning, or ever will have. And when Joachim awoke out of his sleep, he called all his herdsmen to him, and told them his dream. And they worshipped the Lord, and said to him See that thou no farther despise the words of the angel. But rise and let us go hence, and return at a quiet pace, feeding our flocks. And when, after thirty days occupied in going back, they were now near at hand, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Anna, who was standing and praying, and said } Go to the
;
:

gate which

is called Golden,''' and meet thy husband in the way, tor to-day he will come to thee. She therefore went towards him in haste with her maidens, and, praying to the

Lord, she stood a long time in the gate waiting for him.

And

when

she was wearied with long waiting, she lifted up her
;

eyes and saw Joachim afar off coming with his flocks and she ran to him and hung on his neck, giving thanks to God, and

saying

:

I

was a widow, and behold now

I

barren, and behold I have

now

conceived.

am not And so
house.

so

:

I

was

they wor-

shipped the Lord, and went into their
this

own

And when

was heard of, there was great joy among all their neighbours and acquaintances, so that the whole land of Israel
congratulated them.

Chap. 4. After these things, her nine months being fulfilled, brought forth a daughter, and called her Mary. And having weaned her in her third year, Joachim, and Anna his wile, went together to the temple of the Lord to offer sacrifices to God, and placed the infant, Mary by name, in the community of virgins, in which the virgins remained day and night praising

—

Anna

1

Ct.

Acts
is

ix. 11,
iii.

^

This

the Beautiful gate of Acts

2,

to wliieh, according to Josephus,
.

there was au ascent

by many

steps from the valley ot Kedron.

THE GOSPEL OF PSEUDO-MATTHEW.
God.

23

And when

temple, she went

she was put down up the fifteen steps ^
;

before the doors of the
so swiftly, that she did

not look back at all nor did she, as children are wont to do, seek for her parents. Whereupon her parents, each of them anxiously seeking for the child, were both alike astonished,
until they found her in the temple, and the priests of the temple themselves wondered.

Chap.

5.
:

them
of

all

Then Anna, filled with the Holy Spirit, said before The Lord Almighty, the God of Hosts, being mindful

—

His word, hath visited His people with a good and holy down the hearts of the Gentiles who were He hath opened rising against us, and turn them to Himself. His ears to our prayers He hath kept away from us the exultThe barren hath become a mother, and ing of all our enemies. hath brought forth exultation and gladness to Israel. Behold the gifts which I have brought to offer to my Lord, and mine For God hath enemies have not been able to hinder me. turned their hearts to me, and Himself hath given me evervisitation, to bring
:

lasting joy.

Chap.

6.

—And

people of Israel ; and

Mary was held when she was

in admiration

by

all

the

three years old, she walked

with a step so mature, she spoke so perfectly, and spent her time so assiduously in the praises of God, that all were and she was not reckoned astonished at her, and wondered
;

were a grown-up person of thirty She was so constant in prayer, and her appearance years old. was so beautiful and glorious, that scarcely any one could look And she occupied herself constantly with her into her face. wool-work, so that she in her tender years could do all that old women were not able to do. And this was the order that she had set for herself ^ From the morning to the third hour
a young infant, but as
it
:

1 Corresponding with the fifteen Songs of Degrees, Ps. cxx.-cxxxiv. See art. Songs of Degrees. Smith's Diet. Another reading is: And there were about the temple, according to the fifteen Psalms of Degrees, fifteen steps of ascent: the temple was on a mountain, and there had been there built the altar of burnt-offering, which could not be reached but by steps. 2 For the hours of prayer, see Apost. Const, oh. xl. ; Jerome's letters to L&ta,

—

Demetrias,

etc.

24

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
;

from the third to the ninth she was and from the ninth she again She did not retire from praying applied herself to prayer. until there appeared to her the angel of the Lord, from whose hand she used to receive food and thus she became more and
she remained in prayer

occupied with her weaving

;

;

more

perfect in the

work

of God.

Then,

when

the older virgins
;

rested from the praises of God, she did not rest at all in the praises

so that

and

vigils of

God none were found

before her,

no one more learned in the wisdom of the law of God, more lowly in humility, more elegant in singing, more perfect in all She was indeed stedfast, immoveable, unchangeable, virtue. and daily advancing to perfection. No one saw her angry, nor
heard her speaking evil. All her speech was so full of grace, She was that her God was acknowledged to be in her tongue. always engaged in prayer and in searching the law, and she

was anxious
laughter,
or

lest

regard to her companions.

by any word of hers she should sin with Then she was afraid lest in her
her beautiful voice, she should

the sound of
fault, or lest,

commit any

being elated, she should display any

wrong-doing or haughtiness to one of her equals.^ She blessed God without intermission and lest perchance, even in her if any one salutation, she might cease from praising God saluted her, she used to answer by way of salutation Thanks be to God. And from her the custom first began of men sayShe ing. Thanks be to God, when they saluted each other.
; ;
:

refreshed herself only with the food which she daily received from the hand of the angel ; but the food which she obtained

from the priests she divided among the poor. The angels of God were often seen speaking with her, and they most diliIf any one who was unwell touched her, gently obeyed her. the same hour he went home cured.
Chap. 7. Then Abiathar the priest offered gifts without end to the high priests, in order that he might obtain her as wife to his son. But Mary forbade them, saying: It cannot
1 One of the Mss. has: She was anxious about her companions, lest any of them should sin even in one word, lest any of them should raise her voice in laughing, lest any of them should be in the wrong, or proud to her father or her

—

mother.

:

;

THE GOSPEL OF PSEUDO-MATTHEW.
"be

25

that I should
all

know

a man, or that a

man

should

know me.

For

the priests and all her relations kept saying to her

God is worshipped in children and adored in posterity, as has always happened among the sons of Israel. But Mary answered and said unto them God is worshipped in chastity, as is proved For before Abel there was none righteous among first of all.-^
:

men, and he by his offerings pleased God, and was without mercy slain by him who displeased Him. Two crowns, thereof oblation and of virginity, because in his fore, he received Elias also, when he was in the flesh there was no pollution. flesh, was taken up in the flesh, because he kept his flesh unNow I, from my infancy in the temple of God, have spotted. And so, learned that virginity can be sufficiently dear to God. because I can offer what is dear to God, I have resolved in my

—

heart that I should not

know

a

man

at

all.

old,

when she was fourteen ^ years was occasion for the Pharisees' saying that it was now a custom that no woman of that age should abide in the temple of God, they fell upon the plan of sending a herald through all the tribes of Israel, that on the third day all should come together into the temple of the Lord. And Avhen all the people had come together, Abiathar the high priest rose, and mounted on a higher step, that he might be seen and heard by all the people and when great silence had been obtained, he said Hear me, sons of Israel, and receive my words into your ears. Ever since this temple was built by
Chap.
8.

—Now

it

came

to pass,

and on

this account there

;

:

Solomon, there have been in

it virgins,

the daughters of kings

and the daughters of prophets, and of high priests and priests and they were great, and worthy of admiration. But when they came to the proper age they were given in marriage, and followed the course of their mothers before them, and were pleasing to God. But a new order of life has been found out by Mary alone, who promises that she will remain a virgin to God. Wlierefore it seems to me, that through our inquiry and the answer of God we should try to ascertain to whose keeping she ought to be entrusted. Then these words found favour with all the synagogue. And the lot was cast by the priests upon
1

Or,

by the

first of all.

«

Or, twelve.

26

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
fell

the twelve tribes, and the lot

upon the
every one

tribe of Judah.

And

the priest said

:

To-morrow

let

that Joseph

come, and bring his rod in his hand. ^ brought his rod along with the young men. And the rods having been handed over to the high priest, he the Lord. offered a sacrifice to the Lord God, and inquired of the Lord said to him Put all their rods into the holy

who has no wife Whence it happened

And

:

and let them remain there, and order them and their rods to come to thee on the morrow to get back man from the point of whose rod a dove shall come forth, the and fly towards heaven, and in whose hand the rod, when
of holies of God,
;

given back, shall exliibit this sign, to him

let

Mary be

deli-

vered to be kept.

On the following day, then, all having assembled early, and into an incense-offering having been made, the high priest went when he the holy of holies, and brought forth the rods. And none had distributed the rods,=' and the dove came forth out of ^ the sacerthem, the high priest put on the twelve bells and of he there made dotal robe and entering into the holy of holies,
;

And the angel of a burnt-offering, and poured forth a prayer. appeared to him, saying There is here the shortest the Lord thou hast made no account thou didst bring it
:

rod, of

out with them. When in with the rest, but didst not take it whose it is, in it it out, and hast given it him thou hast taken Now that was thee. will appear the sign of which I spoke to he had been cast Joseph's rod and because he was an old man,
;

which

:

off,

as it were, that

he might not receive her, but neither did he

when he was humbly himself wish to ask back his rod." And to him ^^th a loud standing last of aU, the high priest cried out Joseph, and receive thy rod for we are Come, voice, saying trembling, because the waiting for thee. And Joseph came up But as soon voice. priest had caUed him with a very loud high hold of his rod, immeas°he stretched forth his hand, and laid
:

;

1 One of the MSS. adds: Seeing that he had not slight the order of the high priest. tliousand. One of the MSS. inserts To the number of three
:

a wife, and not wishing to

3

See Protev. James

8. is
:

4

Another and more probable reading

And

this

was old, and he was of an abject appearance, seeing that he to receive her. his rod, lest perchance he might be forced

, , j u was Joseph s rod and he would not ask back
,

;

:: ;:

THE G OSPEL OF PSE UD 0-MA TTHE \V.
diatelyfrom the top of
it

27

came

forth a dove whiter than snow,

beautiful exceedingly, which, after long flying about the roofs of the temple, at length flew towards the heavens.

Then

all

the people congratulated the old man, saying

:

Thou

hast been

made

blessed in thine old age,
fit

father Joseph, seeing that

God

hath shown thee to be

to receive

Mary.

And

the priests

having said to him. Take her, because of all the tribe of Judah thou alone hast been chosen by God Joseph began bashfully to address them, saying I am an old man, and have children why do you hand over to me this infant, who is younger than my grandsons ? Then Abiathar the high priest said to him
; :

;

Eemember, Joseph, how Dathan and Abiron and Core perished, So will it happen to thee, if thou despise this which is commanded thee by God. Joseph answered him I indeed do not despise the will of God
because they despised the will of God.
:

but I shall be her guardian until I can ascertain concerning the will of God, as to which of my sons can have her as his wife. Let some virgins of her companions, with whom she

may meanwhile
to her.

spend her time, be given

for a

consolation
:

Abiathar the high priest answered and said

Five
for to

virgins indeed shall be given her for consolation, until the

appointed day come in which thou mayst receive her

;

no other can she be joined in marriage. Then Joseph received Mary, with the other five virgins who were to be with her in Joseph's house. These virgins were Eebecca, Sephora, Susanna, Abigea, and Gael; to whom the high priest gave the silk, and the blue,^ and the fine linen, and the scarlet, and the purple, and the fine flax. For they cast lots among themselves what each virgin should do, and the purple for the veil of the temple of the Lord fell to the lot of Mary. And when she had got it, those virgins said to her Since thou art the last, and humble, and younger than all, thou hast deserved to receive and obtain the purple. And thus saying, as it were in words of annoyance, they began to call her queen of virgins. While, however, they were so doing, the angel of the Lord appeared in the midst of them, saying These words shall not have been uttered by way of annoyance, They trembled, but prophesied as a prophecy most true.
^

Or, hyacinth.

28

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
and
at his words,

therefore, at the siglit of the angel,

and asked

her to pardon them, and pray for them.

Chap.

9.

—And
fill

on the second day, while Mary was at the

fountain to
her, saying:

her pitcher, the angel of the Lord appeared to

Blessed art thou, Mary; for in thy
For,
shall

womb
lo,

thou

hast prepared an habitation for the Lord.

the light

from heaven

come and dwell in

thee,

and by means of

thee will shine over the whole world.

Again, on the third day, while she was working at the purple

with her

fingers, there entered a young man of ineffable beauty. And when Mary saw him, she exceedingly feared and trembled. And he said to her: Hail, Mary, full of grace; the Lord is
:

with thee blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.^ And when she heard these words, she trembled, and was exceedingly afraid. Then the angel of the Lord added Fear not, Mary for thou hast found favour with God Behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and shalt bring forth a King, who fills not only the earth, but the heaven, and
:

;

:

who

reigns from generation to generation.

Chap.

1 0.

—While these things were doing, Joseph was occuto his house,

pied with his work, house-building, in the districts by the sea-

And after nine months he and found Mary pregnant. Wherefore, being in the utmost distress, he trembled and cried out, Lord God, receive my spirit for it is better for me saying And the virgins who were with to die than to live any longer. ]\Iary said to him Joseph, what art thou saying ? We know that no man has touched her we can testify that she is still a virgin, and untouched. We have watched over her always has she continued with us in prayer daily do the angels of God speak with her daily does she receive food from the hand
shore; for he was a carpenter.

came back
:

;

:

;

;

;

;

of the Lord.

We

know

not

how

it is

possible that there can

be any sin in her. But if thou wishest we suspect, nobody but the angel of the pregnant. Then said Joseph Why do believe that an angel of the Lord has
:

us to

tell

thee what

Lord^ has made her you mislead me, to made her pregnant?
is
:

1

Luke

i.

23.

^

Another reading

The Holy

Spirit.

: :

THE GOSPEL OF PSEUDO-MATTHEW.
But
it is

29

some one has pretended to be an angel and has beguiled her. And thus speaking, he wept, and said With what face shall I look at the temple of the Lord, or with what face shall I see the priests of God ? What am I to do ? And thus saying, he thought that he would flee, and send her away
possible that
of the Lord,
:

--.Chap.

IL

—And

when he was thinking
Lord appeared
to

of rising

up and

hiding himself, and dwelling in secret, behold, on that very

him in sleep, saying Mary as thy wife for that which is in her womb is of the Holy Spirit. And she shall bring forth a son, and His name shall be called Jesus, for
night, the angel of the

Joseph, thou son of David, fear not ; receive

His people from their sins. And Joseph, rising gave thanks to God, and spoke to Mary and the virgins who were with her, and told them his vision. And he was comforted about Mary, saying I have sinned, in that
will save

He

from his

sleep,

:

I suspected thee at

all.

Chap. 12.

—After these things there arose a great report that
child.

Joseph was seized by the officers Mary to the high priest. And he with the priests began to reproach Mm, and to say Why hast thou beguiled so great and so glorious a virgin, who was fed like a dove in the temple by .the angels of God, who never wished either to see or to have a man, who had the most excellent knowledge of the law 'of God ? If thou hadst not done violence to her, she would still have remained in her virginity. And Joseph vowed, and swore that he had never touched her at all. And Abiathar the high priest answered him As the Lord liveth, I will give thee to drink of the water of drinking of the Lord, and immediately thy sin will appear. Then was assembled a multitude of people which could not be numbered, and Mary was brought to the temple. And the priests, and her relatives, and her parents wept, and said to Mary: Confess to the priests thy sin, thou that wast like a dove in the temple of God, and didst receive food from the hands of an angel. And again Joseph was summoned to the
of the temple, and brought along with
:

Mary was with

And

30

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.

drink And when any one that had lied drank this water, and walked seven times round the altar, God used to show some sign in his face. When, therefore, Joseph had drunk in safety, and had walked round the altar seven times, no sign of sin appeared in him. Then all the priests, and the officers, and
the people justified him, saying
:

Blessed art thou, seeing that

no charge has been found good against thee. And they summoned Mary, and said And what excuse canst thou have ? or what greater sign can appear in thee than the conception of thy womb, which betrays thee ? This only we require of thee, that since Joseph is pure regarding thee, thou confess who it For it is better that thy confession is that has beguiled thee. should betray thee, than that the wrath of God should set a mark on thy face, and expose thee in the midst of the people. Lord Then Mary said, stedfastly and without trembling: God, King over all, who knowest all secrets, if there be any pollution in me, or any sin, or any evil desires, or unchastity, expose me in the sight of all the people, and make me an example of punishment to all. Thus saying, she went up to the altar of the Lord boldly, and drank the water of drinking, and walked round the altar seven times, and no spot was found
:

in her.

And when

all

the people were in the utmost astonishment,
child,

and that no sign had appeared among themselves by conflicting statements some said that she was holy and unspotted, Then Mary, seeing others that she was wicked and defiled. that she was still suspected by the people, and that on that account she did not seem to them to be wholly cleared, said in the hearing of all, with a loud voice, As the Lord Adonai liveth, the Lord of Hosts before whom I stand, I have not known man; but I am known by Him to whom from my earliest years I have devoted myself. And this vow I made to my God from my infancy, that I should remain unspotted in Him who created me, and I trust that I shall so live to Him alone, and serve Him alone ; and in Him, as long as I" shall live, will I remain unpolluted. Then they all began to kiss her feet and to embrace her knees, asking her to pardon them for their wicked suspicions. And she was led down to her house with
seeing that she

was with

in her lace, they began to be disturbed
:

;

THE GOSPEL OF PSEUDO-MATTHEW.
exultation and joy
virgins.

31
all

by the

people,

and the
:

priests,

and

the

they cried out, and said Blessed be the name of the Lord for ever, because He hath manifested thy holiness to all His people Israel.

And

it came to pass some little time after, was made according to the edict of Ceesar Augustus, that all the world was to be enrolled, each man in This enrolment was made by Cyrinus, the his native place. It was necessary, therefore, that Joseph governor of Syria.^

Chap.

13.

— And

that an enrolment

should enrol with the blessed
it

Mary

in Bethlehem, because to

they belonged, being of the tribe of Judah, and of the house and family of David. When, therefore, Joseph and the blessed

Mary were going along the road which leads to Betlilehem, Mary said to Joseph I see two peoples before me, the one
:

weeping, and the other rejoicing.
still

on thy

beast,

And Joseph answered Sit and do not speak superfluous words. Then
:

there appeared before

them a
:

beautiful boy, clothed in white

raiment,
wliich

who said to Joseph Why didst thou say that the words Mary spoke about the two peoples were superfluous ?
;

For she saw the people of the Jews weeping, because they have departed from their God and the people of the Gentiles rejoicing, because they have now been added and made near to the Lord, according to that which He promised to our fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob for the time is at hand when in
:

the seed ol

Abraham all nations shall be blessed.'^ And when he had thus said, the angel ordered the beast to stand, for the time when she should bring forth was at hand and he commanded the blessed Mary to come down off the
animal, and go into a recess under a cavern, in which there
light,

never was

but always darkness, because the light of day
it.

And when the blessed Mary had gone into began to shine with as much brightness as if it were the The light from God so shone in the sixth hour of the day. cave, that neither by day nor night was light wanting as long And there she brought forth a as the blessed Mary was there. son, and the angels surrounded Him when He was being born. And as soon as He was bora. He stood upon His feet, and the
could not reach
it, it
1

Lnke

ii.

1-6.

^

Gen.

xii. 3.

;

32
angels adored

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
:

Him, saying Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men of good pleasure.^ ISTow, when the birth of the Lord was at hand, Joseph had gone away to seek midwives. And when he had found them, he returned to the cave, and found with Mary the infant which she had brought forth. And Joseph said to the blessed Mary I have brought thee two mid wives Zelomi^ and Salome; and they are standing outside
:

—

before the entrance to the cave, not daring to

come
:

in hither, be-

cause of the exceeding brightness.
;

And when

the blessed

Mary

heard this, she smiled and Joseph said to her Do not smile but prudently allow them to visit thee, in case thou shouldst Then she ordered them to enter. require them for thy cure.

And when

Zelomi had come in, Salome having stayed without, Zelomi said to Mary Allow me to touch thee. And when she had permitted her to make an examination, the midwife cried out with a loud voice, and said Lord, Lord Almighty, mercy It has never been heard or thought of, that any one on us should have her breasts full of milk, and that the birth of a son should show his mother to be a virgin. But -there has been no
:
:

!

spilling of blood in his birth,

no pain in bringing him

forth.

A

virgin has conceived, a virgin has brought forth, and a virgin

she remains.

And

me

to handle thee,

hearing these words, Salome said Allow and prove whether Zelomi have spoken the
:

truth.

And

the blessed

Mary allowed her

to handle her.
it

And
dried

when

she had withdrawn her hand from handling her,

up, and through excess of pain she began to
to be in great distress, crying out,

weep bitterly, and and saying: Lord God, Thou knowest that I have always feared Thee, and that without recompense I have cared for all the poor; I have taken nothing from the widow and the orphan, and the needy have And, behold, I am made wretched I not sent empty away. because of mine vmbelief, since without a cause I wished to try

Thy

virgin.

while she was thus speaking, there stood by her a young man in shining garments, saying Go to the child, and adore Him, and touch Him with thy hand, and He will heal thee, because He is the Saviour of the world, and of all that hope in Him. And she went to the child with haste, and
:

And

*

See Alford's Greek Testament on Luke

ii.

14.

^

Or Zelemi.

THE GOSPEL OF PSEUDO-MATTHEW.

33

adored Him, and touched the fringe of the cloths in which lie was wrapped, and instantly her hand was cured. And going forth, she began to cry aloud, and to tell the wonderful things which she had seen, and which she had suffered, and how she had been cured so that many through her statements believed. And some shepherds also affirmed that they had seen angels singing a hymn at midnight, praising and blessing the God of heaven, and saying: There has been born the Saviour of
;

all,

who

is

Christ the Lord, in

whom

salvation shall be brought

back to

Israel.^
star, larger

Moreover, a great
the evening

than any that had been seen

since the beginning of the world, shone over the cave from
till the morning. And the prophets who were in Jerusalem said that this star pointed out the birth of Christ, who should restore the promise not only to Israel, but to all

nations.

Chap.

1 4.

—And on the third

day

after the birth of our

Lord

Jesus Christ, the most blessed

Mary went

forth out of the cave,

and entering a stable, placed the child in the stall, and the ox and the ass adored Him. Then was fulfilled that which was said by Isaiah the prophet, saying The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib.^ The very animals, therefore, the ox and the ass, having Him in their midst, incessantly adored Him. Then was fulfilled that which was said by Abacuc the prophet, saying:^ Between two animals thou art made manifest. In the same place Joseph remained with Mary three days.
:

Chap. 15. And on the sixth day they entered Bethlehem, where they spent the seventh day. And on the eighth day they circumcised the child, and called His name Jesus for so He was called by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.^ Now, after the days of the purification of Mary were fulfilled according to the law of Moses, then Joseph took the infant to the temple of the Lord. And when the infant had re;

—

»

Luke
Hab.

ii.

8-12.
2,

^

Isa.

i.

3.

'

iii.

according to the
D'^JtJ',

LXX.
alive,

reading, D''^n D^Jti'

two living crea-

tures, for in^jn
3

years

make

Luke

ii.

21-24.

C

34

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
^

ceived parhithomns
offered for

Him

— loarhithomiis, that

is,

circumcision

—they

a pair of turtle-doves, or two young pigeons.^

just,

there was in the temple a man of God, perfect and whose name was Symeon, a hundred and twelve years old. He had received the answer from the Lord, that he should not taste of death till he had seen Christ, the Son of God, living in

Now

he cried out with a loud His people, and the Lord hath fulfilled His promise. And he made haste, and adored Him. And after this he took Him up into his cloak and kissed His feet, and said Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples, to be a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of
the
flesh.

And
:

having seen the
visited

child,

voice, saying

God hath

:

:

Thy

people Israel.^

There was also in the temple of the Lord, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher, who had lived with her husband seven years from her virginity and she had now been a widow eighty-four years. And she never left the temple of the Lord, but spent her time in fasting and prayer. She also likewise adored the child, saying In Him is the redemption of the world.^
;
:

Chap. 1G. And when the second year was past,^ magi came from the east to Jerusalem, bringing great gifts. And they made strict inquiry of the Jews, saying Where is the king who has been born to you ? for we have seen his star in the east, and have come to worship him. And word of this came to King Herod, and so alarmed him that he called together the scribes and the Pharisees, and the teachers of the people, asking of them where the prophets had foretold that Christ should be born. And they said In Betlilehem of Judah. For And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, art it is written by no means the least among the princes of Judah for out of thee shall come forth a Leader who shall rule my people Israel.®
: :

Then King Herod summoned the magi to him, and strictlyinquired of them when the star appeared to them. Then, Go and make strict sending them to Bethlehem, he said
:

and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. And while the magi were going on their way, there appeared to them the star, which was, as it were, a guide to them, going before them until they came to where the child was. And when the magi saw the star, they rejoiced with great joy; and going into the house, they saw the child Jesus sitting in His Then they opened their treasures, and presented mother's lap. great gifts to the blessed Mary and Joseph. And to the child Himself they offered each of them a piece of gold.^ And likewise one gave gold, another frankincense, and the third myrrh.^ And when they were going to return to King Herod, they were warned by an angel in their sleep not to go back to Herod and they returned to their own covmtry by another road.^
inquiry about the child
;

Herod * saw that he had been made with rage, and he sent through all the roads, wishing to seize them and put them to death. But when he could not find them at all, he sent anew to Bethlehem and all its borders, and slew all the male children whom he found of two years old and under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the magi.^ Now the day before this was done Joseph was warned in his sleep by the angel of the Lord, who said to him Take Mary and the child, and go into Egypt by the way of the desert. And Joseph went according to the saying of the angel.^
Chap.
1 7.

— And when

sport of

by the magi,

his heart swelled

:

Chap.
to rest in
sat
1

18.
it,

—And

the blessed

having come to a certain cave, and wishing ^ Mary dismounted from her beast, and

One of the mss. has Then Joseph put the blessed virgin and the boy upon a beast, and himself mounted another, and took the road through the hill country

; :

30

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.

with Joseph three boys, and with Mary a girl, going on the journey along with them. And, lo, suddenly there came forth

from the cave many dragons and when the children saw them, they cried out in great terror. Then Jesus went down from the bosom of His mother, and stood on His feet before the dragons and they adored Jesus, and thereafter retired. Then was fulfilled that which was said by David the prophet, saying Praise the Lord from the earth, ye dragons ye dragons, and all ye deeps.^ And the young child Jesus, walking before them, commanded them to hurt no man. But Mary and Joseph were very much afraid lest the child should be hurt by the dragons. And Jesus said to them Do not be afraid, and do not consider me to be a little child for I am and always have been perfect and all the beasts of the forest must needs be tame before me.
;
; ;
:

;

Chap. 19. Lions and panthers adored Him likewise, and accompanied them in the desert. Wherever Joseph and the blessed Mary went, they went before them showing them the way, and bowing their heads and showing their submission by wagging their tails, they adored Him with great reverence. Now at first, when Mary saw the lions and the panthers, and various kinds of wild beasts, coming about them, she was very much afraid. But the infant Jesus looked into her face with a joyful countenance, and said Be not afraid, mother for they come not to do thee harm, but they make haste to serve both thee and me. With these words He drove all fear from her heart. And the lions kept walking with them, and with the oxen, and the asses, and the beasts of burden which carried their baggage, and did not hurt a single one of them, though they kept beside them but they were tame among the sheep and the rams which they had brought with them from Judea, and which they had with them. They walked among wolves, and feared nothing and no one of them was hurt by another. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by the prophet AVolves shall feed with lambs the lion and the ox shall eat There were together two oxen drawing a straw together.^
; :

—

;

;

;

:

;

and the
'

desert, that

he might get

safe to EgN-pt

;

for

they did not want to go by
2 isa. Ixv. 25.

the shore, for fear of being waylaid.
?s. cxlviii. 7.

; :

THE GOSPEL OF PSEUDO-MATTHEW.
waggon with them in their
Chap. 20.
path.

37

provision for the journey, and the lions directed

on the third day of their Mary was fatigued by the excessive heat of the sun in the desert and Let me rest a little seeing a palm tree, she said to Joseph under the shade of this tree. Joseph therefore made haste, and led her to the palm, and made her come down from her beast. And as the blessed Mary was sitting there, she looked up to the foliage of the palm, and saw it full of fruit, and said to Joseph I wish it were possible to get some of the fruit of this palm. And Joseph said to her I wonder that thou sayest this, when thou seest how high the palm tree is and that thou thinkest of eating of its fruit. I am thinking more of the want of water, because the skins are now empty, and we have none wherewith to refresh ourselves and our cattle. Then the child Jesus, with a joyful countenance, reposing in the bosom of His mother, said to the palm tree, bend thy branches, and refresh my mother with thy fruit. And immediately at these words the palm bent its top down to the very feet of the blessed Mary and they gathered from it fruit, with which they were all refreshed. And after they had gathered all its fruit, it remained bent down, waiting the order to rise from Him who had comit

—And

came

to pass

journey, while they were walking, that the blessed

;

:

:

;

:

manded it to stoop. Then Jesus said to it Eaise thyself, palm tree, and be strong, and be the companion of my trees, which are in the paradise of my Father and open from thy roots a vein of water which has been hid in the earth, and let
:

;

the waters flow, so that
rose

from thee. And it began to come forth a spring of water exceedingly clear and cool and sparkling. And when they saw the spring of water, they rejoiced with great joy, and were satisfied, themselves and all their cattle and their beasts. Wherefore they gave thanks to God.
satisfied

we may be

up immediately, and

at its root there

Chap.

21.

—And

on the day

after,

wlien they were setting

out thence, and in the hour in which they began their journey, Jesus turned to the palm, and said: This privilege I give thee,

palm

tree, that

one of thy branches be carried away by

my

—

38
angels,

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.

blessing I will confer

and planted in the paradise of my Father. And this upon thee, that it shall be said of all who conquer in any contest, You have attained the palm of And while He was thus speaking, behold, an angel of victory. the Lord appeared, and stood upon the palm tree and taking off one of its branches, flew to heaven with the branch in his hand. And when they saw this, they fell on their faces, and became as it were dead. And Jesus said to them Why are your hearts possessed with tear ? Do you not know that this palm, which I have caused to be transferred to paradise, shall
;
:

be prepared for all the saints in the place of delights, as it has been prepared for us in this place of the wilderness ? And they were filled with joy and being strengthened, they all rose up.
;

Chap.
it

22.

— After

this,

while they were going on their
it is

journey, Joseph said to Jesus: Lord,
please Thee, let us go

a boiling heat;

if

by

the sea-shore, that
coast.

we may be

able

to rest in the cities
not,
;

on the

Jesus said to him: Fear

Joseph I will shorten the way for you, so that what you w^ould have taken thirty days to go over, you shall accomAnd while they were thus speaking, plish in this one day. behold, they looked forward, and began to see the mountains

and

cities of

Egypt.

And

rejoicing

and exulting, they came into the regions of

Hermopolis, and entered into a certain city of Egypt which is called Sotinen;^ and because they knew no one there from

whom

they could ask hospitality, they went into a temple

which was called the Capitol of Egypt. And in this temple there had been set up three hundred and fifty-five idols,^ to each of which on its own day divine honours and sacred rites For the Egyptians belonging to the same city were paid. entered the Capitol, in which the priests told them howmany sacrifices were offered each day, according to the honour in which the god was held.
•

Chap.
'

23.

— And

it

came

to pass,

when

the most blessed

Or Sotrina.

-

No

nation was so given to idolatry, and woi'shipped such a countless num-

ber of monsters, as the Egyptians.

Jerome on Isakih.

:

THE GOSPEL OF PSEUDO-MATTHEW.
Mary went
idols prostrated themselves

39

into the temple with the little child, that all the

on the ground, so that all of them were lying on their faces shattered and broken to pieces ^ and thus they plainly showed that they were nothing. Then was fulfilled that which was said by the prophet Isaiah Behold, the Lord will come upon a swift cloud, and will enter Egypt, and all the handiwork of the Egyptians shall be moved at His
;
:

presence.^

,

Chap.

24.

—Then Affrodosius, that governor
was brought
to him,

of the city,

when

news

of this

all his

army.

And
all

Affrodosius with
that he was

temple with the priests of the temple, when they saw his army coming into the temple, thought
to the

went

making haste only to see vengeance taken on those on whose account the gods had fallen down. But when he came into the temple, and saw all the gods lying prostrate on their laces, he went up to the blessed Mary, who was carrying the Lord in her bosom, and adored Him, and said to all his army and all his friends: Unless this were the God of our gods, our gods would not have fallen on their faces before Him nor would they be lying prostrate in His presence wherefore they
;
:

silently confess that

He

is

their Lord.

take care to do what

we have

seen our gods doing,

Unless we, therefore, we may run

all come to destruction, even as it happened to Pharaoh king of the Egyptians, who, not believing in powers so mighty, was drowned in the sea, with all his army.^ Then all the people of that same city believed in the Lord God through Jesus Christ.

the risk of His anger, and

Chap. 25. After no long time the angel said to Joseph Eeturn to the land of Judah, for they are dead who sought the
child's life.*

—

Chap.
»

26.

—And
V. 3.

it

came

to pass, after Jesus

had returned out

Cf. 1

Sam.
ii.

2 Isa.

xix.
:

1.

*
]

Matt.

26.

One

of the mss. here has

And

' Ex. xv. 4. Joseph and Mary went to
;

ive in the

house of a certain widow, and spent a year there

and

for the events

of the year it gives a

number

of the miracles recorded in the early chapters of

the Latin Gospel of Thomas.

40
of Egypt,

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
when He was
at the

in Galilee,

year of His age, that on a Sabbath-day

and entering on the fourth He was playing with

some children
Jesus

bed of the Jordan.

And

as

He

sat there,

made to Himself seven pools of clay, and to each of them He made passages, through which at His command He brought
it

water from the torrent into the pool, and took

back again.

Then one

of those children, a son of the devil,

moved with

envy, shut the passages which supplied the pools with water,

and overthrew what Jesus had built up. Then said Jesus to Woe unto thee, thou son of death, thou son of Satan Dost thou destroy the works which I have wrought ? And immediately he who had done this died. Then with great uproar the parents of the dead boy cried out against Mary and Joseph, saying to them Your son has cursed our son, and he is dead. And when Joseph and Mary heard this, they came forthwith to Jesus, on account of the outcry of the parents of the boy, and the gathering together of the Jews. But Joseph said privately to Mary I dare not speak to Him but do thou admonish Him, and say Why hast Thou raised against us the hatred of the people and why must the troublesome hatred of men be borne by us ? And His mother having come to Him, asked Him, saying My Lord, what was it that he did to bring about his death ? And He said He deserved death, because he scattered the works that I had made. Then His mother asked

him

:

!

:

:

;

:

;

:

:

.

Him, saying
against us.

:

Do

not

so,

my

Lord, because
to grieve

all

men

rise

up

His mother, with His right foot kicked the hinder parts of the dead boy, and said to him Eise, thou son of iniquity for thou art not worthy to enter into the rest of my Father, because thou didst destroy the works which I had made. Then he wholiad been dead rose up, and went away. And Jesus, by the word of His power, brought water into the pools by tlie aqueduct.
:

But He, not wishing

;

Chap.

27.

—And
all

it

came

to pass, after these things, that in

the sight of

Jesus took clay from the pools which

He had

made, and of it made twelve sparrows. And it was the Sabbath when Jesus did this, and there were very many children with Him. When, therefore, one of the Jews had seen Him doing this, he said to Joseph Joseph, dost thou not see the
:

THE GOSPEL OF PSEUDO-MATTHEW.
child Jesus working on the Sabbath at
for

41

what

it is

not lawful

him to do ? for he has made twelve sparrows of clay. And when Joseph heard this, he reproved him, saying: Wherethou on the Sab])ath such things as are not lawful ? And when Jesus heard Joseph, He struck His And at the hands together, and said to His sparrows Fly voice of His command they began to fly. And in the sight and
fore doest
for us to

do

:

!

hearing of

all

that stood by,

He

said to the birds
all

:

Go and
live.

fly

through the earth, and through

the world, and

And

those that were there saw such miracles, they were filled with great astonishment. And some praised and admired Him, but others reviled Him. And certain of them went away to the chief priests and the heads of the Pharisees, and reported to them that Jesus the son of Joseph had done great signs and
miracles in the sight of
all

when

the people of Israel.

And

this

was

reported in the twelve tribes of Israel.

Chap.
temple,

28.

—And

again the son of Annas, a priest of the

who had come with

Joseph, holding his rod in his

hand in the sight of all, with great fury broke down the dams which Jesus had made witli His own hands, and let out the water which He had collected in them from the torrent. Moreover, he shut the aqueduct by which the water came in, and And when Jesus saw this, He said to then broke it down. that boy who had destroyed His dams most wicked seed son of death workshop of Satan verily the of iniquity fruit of thy seed shall be without strength, and thy roots without moisture, and thy branches withered, bearing no fruit. And immediately, in the sight of all, the boy withered away, and died.
:
!
!

!

Chap. 29. Then Joseph trembled, and took hold of Jesus, and went with Him to his own house, and His mother with Him. And, behold, suddenly from the opposite direction a boy, also a worker of iniquity, ran up and came against the shoulder of Jesus, wishing to make sport of Him, or to hurt Him, if he And Jesus said to him Thou shalt not go back safe could. and sound from the way that thou goest. And immediately he fell down, and died. And the parents of the dead boy, who had seen what happened, cried out, saying AVhere does this child
: :

—

:

42

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
?

come from
true;

It is manifest that every
is

word that he says

is

and

it

often accomplished before he speaks.

And
him

the parents of the dead boy came to Joseph, and said to

Take away that Jesus from this place, for he cannot live with or at least teach him to bless, and not to us in this town And Joseph came up to Jesus, and admonished Him, curse. saying "Why doest thou such things ? For already many are in grief and against thee, and hate us on thy account, and we
;
:

And Jesus endure the reproaches of men because of thee. answered and said unto Joseph No one is a wise son but he
:

whom
time
;

knowledge of this and a father's curse can hurt none but evil-doers. Then they came together against Jesus, and accused him to Joseph. When Joseph saw this, he was in great terror, fearing the violence and uproar of the people of Israel. And the same hour Jesus seized the dead boy by the ear, and lifted him up from the earth in the sight of all and they saw Jesus speaking to him like a father to his son. And his spirit came back to him, and he revived. And all of them wondered.
his father hath taught, according to the
:

Now a certain Jewish schoolmaster named Chap. 30. Zachyas ^ heard Jesus thus speaking and seeing that He could not be overcome, from knowing the power that was in Him," he became angry, and began rudely and foolishly, and without And he said Dost thou not fear, to speak against Joseph. wish to entrust me with thy son, that he may be instructed in human learning and in reverence ? But I see that Mary and thyself have more regard for your son than for what the elders
;
:

—

You should have of the people of Israel say against him. given more honour to us, the elders of the whole church of Israel, both that he might be on terms of mutual affection with the children, and that among us he might be instructed
in Jewish learning.

Joseph, on the other hand, said to

him

:

and teach him ? him, we by no means But if thou canst hinder him from being taught by thee those things which are learned by all. And Jesus, having heard what Zachyas had

And

is

there any one

who can keep this keep him and teach

child,

1

2

Other forms of the name are Or, seeing that there was in

:

Zachias, Zachameus, Zacheus, Zachaeus.

Him

an insuperable knowledge of

virtue.

THE GOSPEL OF PSEUDO-MATTHEW.

43

said, answered and said unto him: The precepts of the law which thou hast just sj)oken of, and all the things that thou hast named, must be kept by those who are instructed in human learning; but I am a stranger to your law-courts, because I have no father after the flesh. Thou who readesfc but I was the law, and art learned in it, abidest in the law But since thou thinkest that no one is equal before the law. to thee in learning, thou shalt be taught by me, that no other can teach anything but those things which thou hast named. But he alone can who is worthy.^ For when I shall be exalted on earth, I will cause to cease all mention of your genealogy. For thou knowest not when thou wast born: I alone know when you were born, and how long your life on earth will be. Then all who heard these words were struck with astonishment, and cried out Oh oh oh this marvellously great and Never wonderful mystery. Never have we heard the like has it been heard from any one else, nor has it been said or at any time heard by the prophets, or the Pharisees, or the scribes. We know whence he is sprung, and he is scarcely five years The Pharisees old and whence does he speak these words ? answered We have never heard such words spoken by any And Jesus answered and said unto other child so young. them At this do ye wonder, that such things are said by
;
: ! ! !
!

;

:

:

a child

which

Why, then, do ye not believe me in those things have said to you? And you all wonder because I I will tell you said to you that I know when you were born. I have seen greater things, that you may wonder more. Abraham, whom you call your father, and have spoken with him and he has seen me.^ And when they heard this they held their tongues, nor did any of them dare to speak. And Jesus said to them I have been among you with children, and you have not known me I have spoken to you as to wise men, and you have not understood my words because you are younger than I am,^ and of little faith.
?

I

;

:

;

;

' Tiscliendorf thinks that the text is corrupt. But the meaning seems to be are not a whit better than your neighbours for all of you teach what you have named, and you can teach nothing else. But he alone {ipse, i.e. Christ) can teach more who is worthy. ^ Ci. John viii. 56-58. 2 Or, literally, inferior to me.
:

You

;

—

44

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
Chap.
31.

—A second time the master

Zacliyas, doctor of the
I shall
letters

Mary: Give me the boy, and hand him over to Master Levi, who shall teach him his and instruct him. Then Joseph and Mary, soothing
law, said to Joseph and

Jesus,

took

Him

to the schools, that

by

old Levi.

And

as soon as

He might be taught His letters He went in He held His tongue.
:

And
was

the master Levi said one letter to Jesus, and, beginning
first letter

Aleph, said to Him Answer. But Jesus and answered nothing. Wherefore the preceptor Levi was angry, and seized his storax-tree rod, and struck Him on the head. And Jesus said to the teacher Levi Why dost thou strike me ? Thou shalt know in truth, that He who is struck can teach him who strikes Him more than He can be taught by him. For I can teach you those very things that you are saying. But all these are blind who speak and hear, like sounding brass or tinkling cymbal, in which there is no perception of those things which are meant by their sound.^ And Jesus in addition said to Zachyas Every letter from Aleph even to Thet ^ is known by its arrangement. Say thou first, therefore, what Thet is, and I will tell thee what Aleph And again Jesus said to them Those who do not know is. Aleph, how can they say Thet, the hypocrites ? Tell me what the first one, Aleph, is and I shall then believe you when you have said Beth. And Jesus began to ask the names of the letters one by one, and said Let the master of the law tell us what the first letter is, or why it has many triangles, gradate,

from the

silent,

:

:

:

;

:

subacute, mediate, obduced, produced, erect, prostrate, curvistrate.^

And when
xiii. 1, xiv.
7. is

Levi heard

this,

he was thunderstruck at
letters.

such an arrangement of the names of the
•

Then he

1

Cor.

2
2

Tau, and not Teth,

the last

lettei'

of the

Hebrew

alphabet.

The

original

triangulos gradatos, subacutos, mediatos, ohdudos, productos,

credos, stratos, curvistratos

—

is

hopelessly corrupt.

Compare the passages

in the

following Apocrypha.

It obviously, however, refers to the Pentalpha, Pentacle,

or Solomon's Seal, celebrated in the remains of the magical books that have come down to us under the names of Hermes and the Pythagoreans. The Pentalpha was fonned by joining by straight lines the alternate angles of a regular pentagon, and thus contained numerous triangles. The Pythagoreans called it the Hygiea or symbol of health, and it was frequently engraved on amulets and coins. It is still, if the books are to be trusted, a symbol of power in the liigher

grades of freemasonry.

;

THE GOSPEL OF PSEUDO-MATTHEW.
:

45

began in the hearing of all to cry out, and say Ought such Yea, he ought to be hung on the a one to live on the earth ? For he can put out fire, and make sport of other great cross. modes of punishment. I think that he lived before the flood, and was born before the deluge. For what womb bore him ? or what mother brought him forth ? or what breasts gave him suck ? I flee before liim I am not able to withstand the words from his mouth, but my heart is astounded to hear such words. I do not think that any man can understand what he Now I, unfortunate wretch, says, except God were with him. hrve given myself up to be a laughing-stock to him. For when I thought I had a scholar, I, not knowing him, have found my master. What shall I say ? I cannot withstand the words of this child I shall now flee from this town, because I cannot understand them. An old man like me has been beaten by a boy, because I can find neither beginning nor end of what he says. For it is no easy matter to find a beginning of himself.^ I tell you of a certainty, I am not lying, that to my eyes the proceedings of this boy, the commencement of his conversation, and the upshot of his intention, seem to have nothing in common with mortal man. Here then I do not know whether he be a wizard or a god or at least an angel of God speaks in him. Whence he is, or where he comes from, or who he will turn out to be, I know Then Jesus, smiling at him with a joyful countenance, not.
;
:

said in a

commanding voice to all the sons of Israel standing by and hearing Let the unfruitful bring forth fruit, and the blind see, and the lame walk right, and the poor enjoy the good things of this life, and the dead live, that each may re:

turn to his original
life

state,

and abide in

and

of perpetual sweetness.

Him who is the root of And when the child Jesus had

were

who had fallen under malignant diseases they did not dare to say anything more to Him, or to hear anything from Him.
said this, forthwith all
restored.

And

Chap. 32.

—After
is.

these things, Joseph and
;

Mary

departed

thence with Jesus into the city of Nazareth
^

and

He

remained

i.e..

It is

not wonderful that we do not understand what he says, for we do

not

know what he

46

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
And on
tlie first

there with His parents.
house,

of the week,

when

Jesus was playing with the children on the roof of a certain

happened that one of the children pushed another the roof to the ground, and he was killed. And the parents of the dead boy, who had not seen this, cried out against Joseph and Mary, saying Your son has thrown our son down to the ground, and he is dead. But Jesus was silent, and answered them nothing. And Joseph and Mary came in haste to Jesus and His mother asked Him, saying My lord, tell me if thou didst throw him down. And immediately Jesus went down from the roof to the ground, and called the And he answered Him My lord. hoy by his name, Zeno. And Jesus said to him Was it I that threw thee down from the roof to the ground ? And he said Ko, my lord. And the parents of the boy who had been dead wondered, and honoured Jesus for the miracle that had been wrought. And Joseph and Mary departed thence with Jesus to Jericho.
it

down from

:

;

:

:

:

:

Chap.
sent

33.

Him

Now Jesus was six years old, and His mother with a pitcher to the fountain to draw water with
And
it

—

the children.

came

to pass, after

water, that one of the children

He had drawn the came against Him, and struck

the pitcher, and broke

which

it. But Jesus stretched out the cloak and took up in His cloak as much water as there had been in the pitcher, and carried it to His mother. And when she saw it she wondered, and reflected within herself, and laid up all these things in her heart.^

He had

on,

field,

Chap. 34. Again, on a certain day. He went forth into the and took a little wheat from His mother's barn, and sowed And it sprang up, and grew, and multiplied exceedit Himself. And at last it came to pass that He Himself reaped it, ingly. and gathered as the produce of it three kors," and gave it to His numerous acquaintances.^
Chap.
1

—

35.

—There
19.

is

a road going out of Jericho and leading

2 3

Luke ii. The kor

or

chomer was, according

to Jahn, eipal to 32 pecks 1 pint.

Multiplicibiis suis.

THE GOSPEL

OF.

PSEUDO-MATTHEV/.
where the children of
is

47
Israel

to the river Jordan, to tlie place

crossed: and there the ark of the covenant
rested.

said to have

And Jesus was eight years old, and He went out of and went towards the Jordan. And there was beside the road, near the bank of the Jordan, a cave where a lioness was nursing her cubs and no one was safe to walk that way. Jesus then, coming from Jericho, and knowing that in that cave the lioness had brought forth her young, went into it in the sight of all. And when the lions saw Jesus, they ran to meet Him, and adored Him. And Jesus was sitting in the cavern, and the lion's cubs ran hither and thither round His feet, fawning upon Him, and sporting. And the older lions, with their heads bowed down, stood at a distance, and adored Him, and fawned upon Him with their tails. Then the people who were standing afar off, not seeing Jesus, said Unless he or his parents had committed grievous sins, he would not of his own accord have offered liimseK up to the lions. And when the people were thus reflecting within themselves, and were lying under great sorrow, behold, on a sudden, in the sight of the people, Jesus came out of the cave, and the lions went before Him, and the lion's cubs played with each other before His feet. And the parents of Jesus stood afar off, with their heads bowed down, and watched; likewise also the people stood at a distance, on account of the lions for they did not dare to come close to them. Then Jesus began to say to the people How much better are the beasts than you, seeing that they recognise their Lord, and glorify Him while you men, who have been made after the image and likeness of God, do not know Him Beasts know me, and are tame men see me, and do not acknowledge me.
Jericho,
;
:

;

:

;

!

;

Chap. 36.

—After these
them
all,

the sight of

things Jesus crossed the Jordan, in with the lions; and the water of the
left.^

Jordan was divided on the right hand and on the

Then

He

said to the lions, in the hearing of all:
let

Go

in peace,

hurt no one; but neither
to the place

man

injure you, until

and you return

whence you have come
'

Him

farewell,

forth. And they, bidding not only with their gestures but with their
Josh.
iii.

16

;

2 Kings

ii.

8.

48
voices,

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
went
to their

own

place.

But Jesus returned

to

His

mother.

Chap. 37. Now Joseph^ was a carpenter, and used to make nothing else of wood but ox-yokes, and ploughs, and impleAnd it came to pass ments of husbandry, and wooden beds. that a certain young man ordered him to make for him a couch

—

And Joseph commanded his servant^ to cut wood with an iron saw, according to the measure which he had sent. But he did not keep to the prescribed measure, but made one piece of wood shorter than the other. And Joseph was in perplexity, and began to consider what he was to do about this. And when Jesus saw him in this state of cogitation, seeing that it was a matter of impossibility to him, He addresses him with words of comfort, saying Come, let us take hold of the ends of the pieces of wood, and let us put them together, end to end, and let us fit them exactly to each other, and draw to us, for we shall be able to make them equal. Then Joseph did what he was bid, for he knew that He could
six cubits long.

the

:

do whatever

He

wished.

And Joseph

took hold of the ends of

the pieces of wood, and brought them together against the wall next himself, and Jesus took hold of the other ends of the pieces

and drew the shorter piece to Him, and made it of the same length as the longer one. And He said to Joseph Go and work, and do what thou hast promised to do. And Joseph did what he had promised.^
of wood,
:

And it came to pass a second time, that Joseph Cpiap. 38. and Mary were asked by the people that Jesus should be taught They did not refuse to do so and His letters in school.
;

—

according to the

commandment

of the elders, they took

Him
:

to a master to be instructed in

human

learning.

master began to teach
'

Him

in an imperious tone,

Then the saying Say

One

of tlie MSS. tells the story, not of Joseph, but of a certain builder, a

worker in wood.
2 Lit.,

boy.
of the MSS. here inserts
:

And when Jesus was with other children. He went up and sat down upon a balcony, and many of them began to And the Lord do likewise, and they fell down and broke their legs and arms. Jesus healed them all.
3

One

rejieatedly

:

THE GOSPEL OF PSEUDO-MATTHEW.
Alpha.^
:

49

And Jesus said to him Do thou tell me first what Betha is, and I will tell thee what Alpha is. And upon this the master got angry and struck' Jesus and no sooner had he struck Him, than he fell down dead.
;

And Jesus went home again to His mother. And Joseph, being afraid, called Mary to him, and said to her Know of a surety that my soul is sorrowful even unto death on account
:

of this child.

For

it is

some one
this

will strike

him
:

very likely that at some time or other in malice, and he will die. But
!

Mary answered and said man of God do not believe that is possible. You may believe to a certainty that He who has sent him to be born among men will Himself guard him from all mischief, and will in His own name preserve him from evil.
•

Chap. 39.— Again the Jews asked Mary and Joseph a third time to coax Him to go to another master to learn. And Joseph and Mary, fearing the people, and the overbearing
the princes, and the threats of the priests, led Him again to school, knowing that He could learn nothing from man, because

of

He had perfect knowledge from God only. And when Jesus had entered the school, led by the Holy Spirit, He took the book out of the hand of the master who was teaching the law, and in the sight and hearing of all the people began to read,' not indeed what was written in their book but He spoke in
;

the Spirit of the living God, as if a stream of water were gushing forth from a living fountain, and the fountain remained
fuU. And with such power He taught the people the great things of the living God, that the master himself fell to the ground and adored Him. And the heart of the people who sat and heard Him saying such things was turned into astonish-

always

ment. And when Joseph heard of this, he came running to Jesus, fearing that the master himself was dead. And when
the master saw him, he said to him: Thou hast given a scholar, but a master; and who can withstand

me

not

his

words?

Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by the Psalmist The river of God is fuU of water Thou hast prepared them
:

corn, for so
'

is

the provision for
letters are

it.^
2

Note that the

Greek here.

Ps_ i^v. 9.

D

50

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.

thence with Chap. 40.— After these things Joseph departed Mary and Jesus to go into Capernaum by the sea-shore, on was account of the malice of his adversaries. And when Jesus Capernaum, there was in the city a man named living in
Joseph, exceedingly rich.
iniarmity,

But he had wasted away under his and was lying dead in his couch. And when Jesus heard them in the city mourning, and weeping, and dost lamenting over the dead man, He said to Joseph Why that thou not afford the benefit of thy favour to this man, seeing How he is called by thy name ? And Joseph answered him And have I any power or ability to afford him>a benefit? upon thy said to him Take the handkerchief which is Jesus and say to head, and go and put it on the face of the dead man,
and
died,
: :
:

him

and immediately the dead man will be and will rise from his couch. And when Joseph heard healed, Jesus, and ran, and this, he went away at the command of handkerchief entered the house of the dead man, and put the was wearing on his head upon the face of him who which he forthwas lying in the couch, and said Jesus heal thee. And Jesus with the° dead man rose from his bed, and asked who
:

Christ heal thee

;

:

was.^

into the Chap. 41.— And they went away from Capernaum which is called Bethlehem and Joseph lived with Mary And on a certain day in his own house, and Jesus with them.
city
'

;

him Joseph called to him his first-born son James,^ and sent for the purpose into the vegetable garden to gather vegetables And Jesus followed His brother James into of making broth.
the garden
;

but Joseph and Mary did not know this. And suddenly while James was collecting the vegetables, a viper cry came out of a hole and struck his hand,^ and he began to from excessive pain. And, becoming exhausted, he said, out my with a bitter cry Alas alas an accursed viper has struck
:
!

!

miracles copied ^ In place of this chapter, one of the Mss. has a number of of the five from the canonical Gospels— the walking on the sea, the feeding the raising of thousand, the healing of a blind man, the raising of Lazarus, and

a certain young man. n t TertuUian, James ^ According to the tradition preserved by Hegesippus and and Judas were husbandmen. See Const. Apost. ch. Ixvii.
•

3 Cf.

Acts xxviii.

3.

—
THE GOSPEL OF PSEUDO-MATTHEW.
hand.

:

51

who was standing opposite to him, at the up to James, and took hold of his hand and all that He did was to blow on the hand of James, and cool it and immediately James was healed, and the serpent died. And Joseph and Mary did not know what had been done but at
Jesus,
bitter cry ran
; ;

And

the cry of James, and the
cured.

command

of Jesus, they ran to the

garden, and found the serpent already dead, and

James quite

Chap; 42. And Joseph having come to a feast with his sons, James, Joseph, and Judah, and Simeon and his two daughters, Jesus met them, with Mary His mother, along with her sister

—

Mary

of Cleophas,

whom

the Lord

God had given

to her father

Cleophas and her mother Anna, because they had offered
the mother of Jesus to the Lord.

Mary

And

she was called by the

same name, Mary,
them, and
of

for the consolation of her parents.^

And

when they had come

together, Jesus sanctified
first

He was the them dared to eat

to begin to

and blessed eat and drink for none
;

or drink, or to sit at table, or to break

He had sanctified them, and first done so. And He happened to be absent, they used to wait until He should do this. And when He did not wish to come for refreshment,
bread, until
if
' One of the MSS. has And when Joseph, worn out with old age, died and was buried with his parents, the blessed Mary [lived] with her nephews, or with Of Emerina the children of her sisters for Anna and Emerina were sisters. was born Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist. And as Anna, the mother of the blessed Mary, was very beautiful, when Joachim was dead she was married She called her Mary, and to Cleophas, by whom she had a second daughter. gave her to Alphseus to wife and of her was bom James the son of Alphaeus, and Philip his brother. And her second husband having died, Anna was married to a third husband named Salome, by whom she had a third daughter. She called her Mary likewise, and gave her to Zebedee to wife and of her were born James the son of Zebedee, and John the Evangelist. Another passage to the same effect is prefixed to the Gospel. It reads Emeria for Emerina, and Joseph for Philip.- It ends with a quotation from Jerome's We read in the Gospels that there were four Marys sermon upon Easter second. His maternal aunt, who was first, the mother of the Lord the Saviour fourth, third, Mary the mother of James and Joseph called Mary of Cleophas Mary Magdalene though some maintain that the mother of James and Joseph was His aunt. The same ms. thus concludes The holy Apostle and Evangelist John with his own hand wrote this little book in Hebrew, and the learned doctor Jerome rendered it from Hebrew into Latin,
:

;

;

;

:

—

;

;

;

—

:

52

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
And, indeed, these
brothers, keeping His life as a

neither Joseph nor Mary, nor the sons of Joseph, His brothers,

came.

before their eyes, observed

lamp Him, and feared Him. And when Jesus slept, whether by day or by night, the brightness of God shone upon Him. To whom be all praise and glory for ever and ever. Amen, amen.

THE GOSPEL OF THE NATIVITY OF MAEY.

CHAPTEE
HE

I.

blessed and glorious ever-virgin Mary, sprung from the royal stock and family of David, born in the city of Nazareth, was brought up at Jerusalem in the temple of the Lord. Her father was named Joachim, and her mother Anna. Her father's house was from Galilee and the city of Nazareth, but her mother's family from Bethlehem. Their life was guileless and right before the Lord, and irreproachable and pious before men. For they divided all their substance into three parts. One part they spent upon the temple and the temple servants another they distributed to strangers and the poor the third they
;
;

reserved for themselves and the necessities of their family. Thus, dear to God, kind to men, for about twenty years they
lived in their

own

house, a chaste married

life,

without having

any children. Nevertheless they vowed that, should the Lord happen to give them offspring, they would deliver it to the service of the Lord on which account also they used to visit the temple of the Lord at each of the feasts during the year.
;

Chap.

2.

— And

it

came

to

pass that the

festival

of the
to

dedication^ was at hand; wherefore also Joachim

went up

Jerusalem with some men of his own tribe. Now at that time Isaschar^ was high priest there. And when he saw Joachim
1

1

Mace.

iv.

52-59

;

2 Mace. x. 1-8
is

;

John

x.

22

;

Josephus, Antiq.

xii. 7.

*

The

spelling in the text

that in the Hebrew, the Samaritan Codex, the

Targums, and the Textus Receptus.
priests.

There

is

no Issachar in the

list

of high

£3

54

TEE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.

despised with his offering among his other fellow-citizens, he and spurned his gifts, asking why he, who had no offhim, had; saying that spring, presumed to stand among those who acceptable to God, since his gifts could not by any means be

He had deemed him unworthy
said,

of offspring

':

for the Scripture

Cursed

is

every one
said,

in Israel.^

He

has not begot a male or a female therefore, that he ought first to be freed

who

by the begetting of children; and then, and the Lord then only, that he should come into the presence of from with his offerings. And Joachim, covered with shame shepreproach that was thrown in his teeth, retired to the
from
this curse

this

who were in their pastures with the flocks nor would with the return home, lest perchance he might be branded he at the same reproach by those of his own tribe, who were there time, and had heard this from the priest.
herds,
;

a certain day

Now, when he had been there for some time, on when he was alone, an angel of the Lord stood And when he was disturbed at his great light. by him in a restrained his appearance, the angel who had appeared to him disturbed by my appearfear, saying Fear not, Joachim, nor be Him to thee to tell ing for I am the angel of the Lord, sent by
Chap.
3.
:

;

that thy charitable thee that thy prayers have been heard, and He hath seen thy deeds have gone up into His presence.=^ For heard the reproach of unfruitfulness which has

shame, and hath been unjustly brought against thee.
of sin,

For God

is

the avenger

not of nature
of
;

:

and, therefore,

womb
it

any one,

He

does so that

when He shuts up the He may miraculously open

again

so that that

be not

of lust,
first

that the

to her eightieth

born may be acknowledged to God. For was it not the case mother of your nation— Sarah—was barren up year ? « And, nevertheless, in extreme old age

which

is

but of the

gift of

whom the promise was renewed of Rachel also, so favoured by the the blessing of all nations. barren and yet Lord, and so beloved by holy Jacob, was long Joseph, who was not only the lord of Egypt, she brought forth
she brought forth Isaac, to
; «

Scripture in so This statement does not occur in
17.

many words

;

but

sterility

God. was looked upon as a punishment from ' Gen. xvii. ^ Compare Acts x. L

Sarah was ninety years

old.

:

TEE GOSPEL OF THE NATIVITY OF MARY.
but the deKverer of
of hunger.

55

of both were fact that conceptions words does not persuade thee, believe in and births in the case of women that have very late in life, something wonderful. been barren, are usually attended with daughter to thee, Accordingly thy wife Anna will bring forth a you have call her name Mary: she shall be, as and thou shalt and she shall vowed, consecrated to the Lord from her infancy, mother's womb. be mied with the Holy Spirit, even from her shall eat nor drink any unclean thing, nor She shall neither the people without, she spend her life among the crowds of not be possible but in the temple of the Lord, that it may much as to suspect, any evil concernmg say, or so
^

nations who were ready to perish the judges was either stronger than And yet the mothers Sampso'k, or more holy than Samuel? of my If, therefore, the reasonableness barren.

many

Who among

either to

her.

Therefore,

when

shall be miraculously

she has grown up, just as she herself born of a barren woman, so in an incom-

parable

manner she, a virgin, shall bring forth the Son of the according to Most High, who shall be caUed Jesus, and who, nations. etymology of His name, shall be the Saviour of aU the things which I this shall be the sign to thee of those

And

gate in Jeruannounce When thou shalt come to the Golden anxious thou shalt there meet Anna thy wife, who, lately salem, the sight of from the delay of thy return, will then rejoice at Having thus spoken, the angel departed from him.
:

thee.

•

wife, saying Chap. 4.— Thereafter he appeared to Anna his which thou Fear not, Anna, nor think that it is a phantom am that angel who has presented your prayers For I seest. to you to and alms before God; and now have I been sent daughter, who announce to you that thou shalt bring forth a above all women. shall be called Mary, and who shaU be blessed

from her birth, shall She, fuU of the favour of the Lord even be weaned. remain three years in her father's house until she
Lord, she shall Thereafter, being delivered to the service of the the years of disnot depart from the temple until she reach fastings There, in fine, serving God day and night in
cretion.

and prayers, she
shall never

shall abstain

from every unclean thing

;

she

know man, but

alone, without example, immaculate,

56

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.

uncorrupted, without intercourse with man, she, a virgin, shall bring forth a son ; she. His handmaiden, shall bring forth the

Lord

—both

in grace,

of the world.

and in name, and in work, the Saviour Wherefore arise, and go up to Jerusalem and
;

when thou

shalt

come

to the gate which, because

it

is

plated

with gold, is called Golden, there, for a sign, thou shalt meet thy husband, for whose safety thou hast been anxious. And when these things shall have so happened, know that what I announce shall without doubt be fulfilled.
Chap.
5.

—Therefore,
;

as the angel

them

setting out from the place

had commanded, both of where they were, went up to
to the place pointed out

Jerusalem

and when they had come

by the

angel's prophecy, there they

met each

other.

Then,

and secure in the certainty of the promised offspring, they gave the thanks due to the Lord, who And so, having worshipped the Lord, exalteth the humble. they returned home, and awaited in certainty and in gladness Anna therefore conceived, and brought, the divine promise.
rejoicing at seeing each other,

forth a daughter

;

her parents called her

and according to the command of the angel, name Mary.

Chap.

6.

—And

when

the circle of three years had rolled
fulfilled,

round, and the time of her weaning was

they brought

Now the virgin to the temple of the Lord with offerings. there were round the temple, according to the fifteen Psalms
of Degrees,^ fifteen steps going

up

;

for,

on account of the

temple having been built on a mountain, the altar of burntoffering, which stood outside, could not be reached except by
steps.
girl,

On

the blessed virgin Mary.

one of these, then, her parents placed the little And when they were putting

off the clothes

which they had worn on the journey, and were

putting on, as was usual, others that were neater and cleaner, the virgin of the Lord went up all the steps, one after the

without the help of any one leading her or lifting her, in such a manner that, in this respect at least, you would think For already the Lord that she had already attained full age.
other,
'

Ps. cxx.-cxxxiv.

The

fifteen steps led

from the court of the

women

to that

of the men.

THE GOSPEL OF THE NATIVITY OF MARY.
in the infancy of

57

His virgin wrought a great thing, and by how great she was to Therefore, a sacrifice having been offered according to the be. custom of the law, and their vow being perfected, they left the virgin within the enclosures of the temple, there to be educated with the other virgins, and themselves returned home.
the indication of this miracle foreshowed
7. But the virgin of the Lord advanced in age and in and though, in the words of the Psalmist, her father and mother had forsaken her, the Lord took her up.^ Tor daily was she visited by angels, daily did she enjoy a divine vision, which preserved her from all evil, and made her to abound in all good. And so she reached her fourteenth year and not only were the wicked unable to charge her with anything worthy of reproach, but all the good, who knew her life and conversation, judged her to be worthy of admiration. Then the high priest publicly announced that the virgins who were publicly settled in the temple, and had reached this time of life, should return home and get married, according to the custom of the nation and the ripeness of their years. The others readily obeyed this command but Mary alone, the virgin of the Lord, answered that she could not do this, saying both that her parents had devoted her to the service of the Lord, and that, moreover, she herself had made to the Lord a vow of virginity, which she would never violate by any intercourse with man. And the high priest, being placed in great perplexity of mind, seeing that neither did he think that the vow should be broken contrary to the Scripture, which says. Vow and pay,^ nor did he dare to introduce a custom unknown to the nation, gave order that at the festival, which was at hand, all the chief persons from Jerusalem and the neighbourhood should be present, in order that from their advice he might know what was to be done in so doubtful a case. And when this took place, they resolved unanimously that the Lord should be consulted upon this matter. And when they all bowed themselves in prayer, the high priest went to consult God in the usual way. Nor had they long to wait in the hearing of all a voice issued from the oracle and from the mercy-seat, that, according

Chap.
;

—

virtues

;

;

'

:

»

Ps. xxvii. 10.

*

Ps. Lsxvi. 11.

58
to the

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
prophecy of Isaiah, a

man

should be sought out to

whom

For it is clear the virgin ought to be entrusted and espoused. rod shall come forth from the root of Jesse, that Isaiah says and a flower shall ascend from his root and the Spirit of the
:

A

;

upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and strength, the spirit of wisdom and piety and he shall be filled with the spirit of the fear of
Lord
shall

rest

;

the Lord/

According to this prophecy, therefore, he predicted

that all of the house and family of David that were unmarried and fit for marriage should bring their rods to the altar and
;

that he whose rod after

was brought should produce a flower, and upon the end of whose rod the Spirit of the Lord should settle in the form of a dove, was the man to whom the virgin ought to be entrusted and espoused.
it

Chap. 8. Now there was among the rest Joseph, of the house and family of David, a man of great age and when all brought their rods, according to the order, he alone withheld Wherefore, when nothing in conformity with the divine his. voice appeared, the high priest thought it necessary to consult God a second time and He answered, that of those who had beeh designated, he alone to whom the virgin ought to be espoused had not brought his rod. Joseph, therefore, was found For when he had brought his rod, and the dove came out. from heaven and settled upon the top of it, it clearly appeared to all that he was the man to whom the virgin should be espoused. Therefore, the usual ceremonies of betrothal having been gone through, he went back to the city of -Bethlehem to
:

—

;

put his house in order, and to procure things necessary for the But Mary, the virgin of the Lord, with seven other marriage. virgins of her own age, and who had been weaned at the same time, whom she had received from the priest, returned to the
house of her parents in Galilee.
Chap.
9.

—And in those days, that
'

is,

at the

time of her

first

coming into Galilee, the angel Gabriel was sent to her by God, to announce to her the conception of the Lord, and to explain Accordingly, to her the manner and order of the conception.
Isa. xi.

1,2.

;

THE GOSPEL OF THE NATIVITY OF MARY.
going
light
;

59

in,

he filled the chamber where she was with a great and most courteously saluting her, he said Hail, Mary
:

!

virgin highly favoured

by the Lord,

virgin full of grace, the
all

Lord
above

is

with thee

;

blessed art thou above

women,

blessed

all

men

that have been hitherto born.^

And

the virgin,

who was

already well acquainted with angelic faces, and was

not unused to the light from heaven, was neither terrified by
the vision of the angel, nor astonished at the greatness of the
light,

but only perplexed by his words
it

;

and she began to

consider of what nature a salutation so unusual could be, or

what

could portend, or what end

it

could have.
:

And

the

angel, divinely inspired, taking

up

this thought, says

Fear not,

this salutation.

anything contrary to thy chastity were hid under For in choosing chastity, thou hast found favour with the Lord; and therefore thou, a virgin, shalt conceive

Mary, as

if

and shalt bring forth a son. He shall be great, from sea to sea^ and from the river even to the ends of the earth f and He shall be called the Son of the Most High, because He who is born on earth in humiliation, reigns in heaven in exaltation; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, and He shall reign in the house of Jacob for ever, and of His kingdom there shall be no end;^ forasmuch as He is King of kings and Lord of lords,* and His throne is from everlasting to everlasting. The virgin did not doubt these words of the angel but wishing to know the manner of it, she answered How can that come to pass ? For while, according to my vow, I never know man, how can I bring forth without the addition of man's seed ? To Think not, Mary, that thou shalt conceive this the angel says in the manner of mankind: for without any intercourse with man,
without
sin,

because

He

shall rule

;

:

:

thou, a virgin, wilt conceive thou, a virgin, wilt nurse
thee,
:

;

thou, a virgin, wilt bring forth

Holy Spirit shall come upon and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee;' 'without any of the heats of lust and therefore that which shall be born of thee shall alone be holy, because it alone, being conceived and born without sin, shall be called the Son of God. Then Mary stretched forth her hands, and raised her eyes to
for the
;

1

Luke

i.

26-38.

^

Ps. Ixxii. 8.

3

Luke

i.

32, 33.

*

Kev. xix. 16.

&

Luke

i.

35.

; ;

60

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
:

.

heaven, and said

am

not worthy of the

Behold the handmaiden of the Lord, for I name of lady ; let it be to me according

to thy word. It will be long,
sert in this little

and perhaps to some even tedious, if we inwork everything which we read of as having
:

preceded or followed the Lord's nativity wherefore, omitting those things which have been more fully written in the Gospel,
let

us come to those which are held to be less worthy of being

narrated.

Chap.

10.

—Joseph

therefore

came from Judea

into Galilee,

intending to marry the virgin
for already three

who had been

betrothed to

him

months had elapsed, and it was the beginning In the of the fourth since she had been betrothed to him. meantime, it was evident from her shape that she was pregnant,
nor could she conceal this from Joseph. For in consequence of his being betrothed to her, coming to her more freely and speaking to her more familiarly, he found out that she was

with

child.

He began then

to be in great doubt

and perplexity,

because he did not know what was best for him to do. For, being a just man, he was not willing to expose her; nor, being a pious man, to injure her fair fame by a suspicion of fornication.

He came

to the conclusion, therefore, privately to dis-

solve their contract,

and

to

send her away secretly.

And

while he thought on these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in his sleep, saying: Joseph, thou son of

David, fear not

;

that

is,

tion in the virgin, or think
:

do not have any suspicion of fornicaany evil of her and fear not to take
;

her as thy wife for that which is begotten in her, and which now vexes thy soul, is the work not of man, but of the Holy For she alone of all virgins shall bring forth the Son Spirit.
of God,
for

He
;

shall save

and thou shalt call His name Jesus, that is. Saviour His people from their sins. Therefore Joseph,

according to the

wife

command of the angel, took the virgin as his knew her not, but took care of her, and kept her in chastity.^ And now the ninth month from her conception was at hand, when Joseph, taking with him his wife
nevertheless he

along with what things he needed, went to Bethlehem, the city
1

Matt.

i.

IS 24.

;

THE GOSPEL OF THE NATIVITY OF MARY.
there, that her days

61

from which he came. And it came to pass, while they were were fulfilled that she should bring forth and she brought forth her first-born son, as the holy evangelists have shown, our Lord Jesus Christ, who with the Father and the Son^ and the Holy Ghost lives and reigns God from everlasting to everlasting.
'

Thus

in the original.

THE HISTORY OF JOSEPH THE CAEPENTER.

N the

name of God, of one essence and three persons. The History of the death of our father, the holy

old man, Joseph the carpenter.

May
brethren
!

his blessings

and prayers preserve us
years,

all,

Amen.
life

His whole

was one hundred and eleven

and his

departure from this world happened on the twenty-sixth of the
preserve us!

month Abib, which answers to the month Ab. May his prayer Amen. And, indeed, it was our Lord Jesus Christ

Himself who related this history to His holy disciples on the of Olives, and all Joseph's labour, and the end of his days. And the holy apostles have preserved this conversation, and have left it written down in the library at Jerusalem. May their prayers preserve us Amen.^

Mount

!

1. It happened one day, when the Saviour, our Master, God, and Saviour Jesus Christ, was sitting along with His disciples, and they were all assembled on the Mount of Olives, that He my brethren and friends, sons of the Father said to them who has chosen you from all men, you know that I have often told you that I must be crucified, and must die for the salvation of Adam and his posterity, and that I shall rise from the
:

1 The Cojitic has The 26th day of Epep. This is the departure from the body of our father Joseph the carpenter, the father of Christ after the flesh, wlio was 111 years old. Our Saviour narrated all his life to His apostles on Mount Olivet and His apostles wrote it, and put it in the library which is in Jerusalem. Also that the day on which the holy old man laid down his body was the 26th of the month Epep. In the peace of God, amen. His day is the 19tli of March in the Roman calendar.
:

;

62

;

THE HISTORY OF JOSEPH THE CARPENTER.
dead.

63

you the doctrine of the holy you may declare it And I shall endow you with throughout the whole world. power from on high, and fill you with the Holy Spirit.^ And you shall declare to all nations repentance and remission of For a single cup of water,' if a man shall find it in the sins.^ world to come, is greater and better than all the wealth of this whole world. And as much ground as one foot can occupy in the house of my Father, is greater and more excellent than all Yea, a single hour in the joyful dwellthe riches of the earth. ing of the pious is more blessed and more precious than a thousand years among sinners :* inasmuch as their weeping and lamentation shall not come to an -end, and their tears shall not cease, nor shall they find for themselves consolation and repose And now, my honoured members, go at any time for ever. declare to all nations, tell them, and say to them Verily the Saviour diligently inquires into the inheritance which is due, and is the administrator of justice. And the angels will cast down their enemies', and will fight for them in the day of conAnd He will examine every single foolish and idle word flict. which men speak, and they shall give an account of it.' For as no one shall escape death, so also the works of every man shall be laid open on the day of judgment, whether they have been good or evil.* Tell them also this word which I have said Let not the strong man glory in his strength, to you to-day
I shall
to

Now

commit

gospel formerly announced to you, that

:

:

nor the rich

man

in his riches; but let

him who wishes

to

glory, glory in the Lord.'
2.

There M^as a

man whose name was

Joseph, sprung from a

family of Bethlehem, a town of Judah, and the city of King-

David.
learning,

This same man, being well furnished with wisdom and

was made a

priest in the

temple of the Lord.

He

was, besides, skilful in his trade, which was that of a carpenter

and after the manner of all men, he married a wife. Moreover, he begot for himself sons and daughters, four sons, namely, and

two daughters. Now these are their names Judas, Justus, James, and Simon. The names of the two daughters were
I

—

Luke

xxiv. 49.

2

Luke
Matt.
;

xxiv. 47.
xii. 36.

^

Cf.

Matt. x. 42.

* Cf.

Ps. Ixxxiv. 10.

5
i.

«

2 Cor. v. 10.

7 Jer. ix. 23,

24

;

1 Cor.

31

2 Cor. x. 17.

64

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
At length
the wife of righteous Joseph, a
intent on the divine glory in all her works, departed

Assia and Lydia.

woman
this
life.

But Joseph, that righteous man,

my

father after the

flesh,

and the spouse of

my

mother Mary, went away with his

sons to his trade, practising the art of a carpenter.
3. Now when righteous Joseph became a widower, my mother Mary, blessed, holy, and pure, was already twelve years old. For her parents offered her in the temple when she was three years of age, and she remained in the temple of the Lord nine years. Then when the priests saw that the virgin, holy and God-fearing, was growing up, they spoke to each other, saying Let us search out a man, righteous and pious, to whom
:

Mary may be
to

entrusted until the time of her marriage
it

;

lest, if

she remain in the temple,

happen to her

as

women, and
us.
4.

lest

on that account we

sin,

wont to happen and God be angry
is

with
old

Therefore they immediately sent out, and assembled twelve

men

of the tribe of Judah.

names

of the twelve tribes of Israel.

And they wrote down the And the lot fell upon the

pious old man, righteous Joseph.

and said

to

my

blessed mother

:

Then the priests answered, Go with Joseph, and be with
Eighteous Joseph there-

him

till

the time of your marriage.

fore received

my

mother, and led her away to his

own

house.

And Mary

found James the Less in his father's house, brokenhearted and sad on account of the loss of his mother, and she brought him up. Hence Mary was called the mother of James.^ Thereafter Joseph left her at home, and went away .to the shop where he Wrought at his trade of a carpenter. And after the holy virgin had spent two years in his house her age was exactly fourteen years, including the time at which he received
her.
5. And I chose her of my own will, with the concurrence of my Father, and the counsel of the Holy Spirit. And I was made

by a mystery which transcends the grasp of created three months after her conception the righteous man Joseph returned from the place where he worked at his trade and when he found my virgin mother pregnant, he was greatl}' perplexed, and thought of sending her away secretly.^
flesh of her,

reason.

And

;

1

Luke

xxiv. 10.

2 jix^tt,

L

19.

THE HISTOP.Y OF JOSEPH THE CARPENTER.

Go

But from fear, and sorrow, and the anguish of his heart, he could endure neither to eat nor drink that day.
6. But at mid-day there appeared to him in a dream the prince of the angels, the holy Gabriel, furnished with a com-

mand from my Father; and he said to him: Joseph, son of David, fear not to take Mary as thy wife: for she. has conceived
of the

Holy

Spirit

;

and she will bring forth a

son,

whose name
with

shall be called Jesus.

He

it is

who

shall rule all nations

Having thus spoken, the angel departed from him. And Joseph rose from his sleep, and did as the angel of the Lord had said to. him and Mary abode with him.^ 7. Some time after that, there came forth an order from Augustus Cciesar the king, that all the habitable world should
;

a rod of iron.^

be enrolled, each

man

in his

own

city.

The

old

righteous Joseph, rose

up and took the

virgin

man therefore, Mary and came
was
at

to Bethlehem, because the time of her bringing forth

Joseph then inscribed his name in the list; for Joseph the son of David, whose spouse Mary was, was of the tribe of Judah. And indeed IMary, my mother, brought me forth in Bethlehem, in a cave near the tomb of Eachel the wife of the
hand.
patriarch Jacob, the mother of Joseph and Benjamin.
8.

But Satan went and

told this to
it

father of Archelaus.

And

ordered

my

friend

and

relative

was John

this

Herod the Great, the same Herod ^ who
Accord-

to be beheaded.

ingly he searched for

me

diligently, thinking that

my kingdom

was to be of this world." But Joseph, that pious old "man, was warned of this by a dream. Therefore he rose and took Mary my mother, and I lay in her bosom. Salome ^ also was their fellow-traveller. Having therefore set out from home, he retired into Egypt, and remained there the space of one whole year, until the hatred of Herod passed away. 9. Now Herod died by the worst form of death, atoning for
the shedding of the blood of the children cut off, though there was no sin in them.
^

whom he wickedly And that impious
jjatt.
i.

Ps.

ii.

9

;

Rev.

xii. 5, xix. 15.

2

20-24.

was Herod Antipas who ordered John to be beheaded. John xviii. 36. ^ The Salome here mentioned was, according to two of the Mss. of PseudoMatthew, the third husband of Anna, Mary's mother, and the father of ilary the wife of Zebedee. But compare Matt, xxvii. 56 with Mark xv. 40,
3 It *

E

66

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.

tlie land of Israel, tyrant Herod being dead, they returned into And city of Galilee which is called Nazareth. and lived in a carpenter, earned his Joseph, going back to his trade of a

living

by the work of his hands commanded, he never sought to
labour.^
10.

;

for, as

live for nothing

the law of Moses had by another's

years, the old man arrived at did not, however, labour under any a very advanced age. nor had any tooth bodily weakness, nor had his sight failed, of from his mouth. In mind also, for the whole time perished but like a boy he always in his wandered

At

length,

by increasing

He

his

life,

he never

;

limbs remained business displayed youthful vigour, and his all, His life, then, and free from all pain. unimpaired, being one hundred and eleven years, his old age

m

amounted

to

prolonged to the utmost limit. sons of Joseph, were 11. Now Justus and Simeon, the elder Both the daughters married, and had families of their own. there married, and lived in their own houses. So

were likewise Less, and my remained in Joseph's house, Judas and James the not otherI moreover dwelt along with them, virgin mother. passed all than if I had been one of his sons. But I wis°e Joseph without fault. Mary I called my mother, and

my

life

father,

nor did I ever I obeyed them in all that they said commands, as against them, but complied with their contend wont to do; nor did I other men whom earth produces are or answer in any time arouse their anger, or give any word

and

;

at

On the contrary, I cherished them with opposition to them. great love, like the pupil of my eye. things, that the death of 12. It came to pass, after these
his departure from this that old man, the pious Joseph, and to other men who owe world, were approaching, as happens And as his body was verging on this earth.

their origin to
dissolution,

was now close at hand. came upon him. So he

death an angel of the Lord informed him that his Therefore fear and great perplexity rose up and went to Jerusalem and
;

out his prayers going into the temple of the Lord, he poured there before the sanctuary, and said
13.

God! author

of all consolation,
•

God

of all compas-

Gen.

iii.

19.

THE HISTORY OF JOSEPH THE CARPENTER.
sion,

67

and Lord of the whole human race
spirit
;

;

God

of

my soul, body,

and

with supplications I reverence thee,

my

God.
I

If

now my days

are ended,

Lord and and the time draws near

when

must leave

this world,

send me, I beseech Thee, the
:

great Michael, the prince of

angels let him remain with me, that my wretched soul may depart from this afflicted body without trouble, without terror and impatience. For

Thy holy

great fear and intense sadness take hold of all bodies on the

day of their death, whether
the last
life

it

be

man

or

woman, beast wild
flies

or

tame, or whatever creeps on the ground or
all

in the

air.

At
their

creatures under heaven in

whom

is

the breath of

are struck with horror,

and their souls depart from

bodies with strong fear and great depression.

Now

therefore,

Lord and
help to

my

God,
let

let

Thy holy

angel be present with his
shall be dissevered

my

soul

and body, until they

from

each other.

And

not the face of the angel, appointed

my
;

guardian from the day of

to Thee let his countenance be pleasant and gladsome to me, and let him accompany me in peace. And let not demons of frightful aspect come near me in the way in which 1 am to go, until I come to Thee in bliss. And let not the doorkeepers hinder my soul from entering paradise. And do not uncover my sins, and expose me to condemnation before Thy Let not the lions rush in upon me nor let terrible tribunal. the waves of the sea of fire overwhelm my soul for this must every soul pass through ^ before I have seen the glory of Thy Godhead. God, most righteous Judge, who in justice and equity wilt judge mankind, and wilt render unto each one according to his works, Lord and my God, I beseech Thee, be present to me in Thy compassion, and enlighten my path that I may come to Thee for Thou art a fountain overflowing with all good things, and with glory for evermore. Amen. 14. It came to pass thereafter, when he returned to his own
:

may bring me
but

be turned away from me he be the companion of my journey even until he
birth,^

house in the city of Nazareth, that he was seized by disease, and had to keep his bed. And it was at tliis time that he died,
according to the destiny of
all

mankind.

For

this disease

was

very heavy upon him, and he had never been ill, as he now was, from the day of his birth. And thus assuredly it pleased
Christ^ to order the destiny of righteous Joseph.
forty years unmarried
;

He

lived

thereafter his wife remained under his

care forty-nine years, death,

and then

died.

And

a year after her

my

mother, the blessed Mary, was entrusted to him by

the priests, that he should keep her until the time of her

She spent two years in his house and in the third marriage. year of her stay with Joseph, in the fifteenth year of her age, she brought me forth on earth by a mystery which no creature
;

the

can penetrate or understand, except myself, and my Father and Holy Spirit, constituting one essence with myseU?
15. The whole age of my father, therefore, that righteous old man, was one hundred and eleven years, my Father in heaven having so decreed. And the day on which liis soul left his body was the twenty-sixth of the month Abib. For now the fine gold began to lose its sj)lendour, and the silver to be worn down by use^— I mean his understanding and his wisdom. He also loathed food and drink, and lost all his skill in his trade of It came to carpentry, nor did he any more pay attention to it. pass, then, in the early dawn of the twenty-sixth day of Abib, that Joseph, that righteous old man, lying in his bed, was giving up his unquiet soul. Wherefore he opened his mouth with many sighs, and struck his hands one against the other, and with a loud voice cried out, and spoke after the following

manner
1 6.

:

Woe
to the

to the

day on which I was born into the world
!

womb which bare me Woe to the bowels which Woe to the breasts which suckled me Woe admitted me Woe to the hands to the feet upon which I sat and rested

Woe

!

!

!

^ *

Note the change from the first person. Here the Coptic has This is the end of the
:

life

of

my beloved father Joseph.
;

When

he lived nine (? forty-nine) and my years. After her death he remained a widower one (or two) year mother lived two years in his house before she was married to him, since he had been ordered by the priests to take charge of her until the time of her marriage. And my mother Mary brought me forth in the third year that she was in

grew np !^ For I was mother desire me.^ which have brought forth and
until I

my

!

looked upon scandalous things

!

Woe

to
!

mine

ears,

which
!

have delighted in the words of slanderers Woe to my hands, which have seized what did not of right belong to them Woe to my belly and my bowels, which have lusted after food unlawful to be eaten

Woe to my throat, which like a fire has consumed all that it found Woe to my feet, which have too often walked in ways displeasing to God Woe to my body and woe to my miserable soul, which has already turned aside
!

!

!

from G od

its

Maker

!

What

shall I do

when

I arrive at that

place where I

must stand before the most righteous Judge, and when He shall call me to account for the works which I have heaped up in my youth ? Woe to every man dying in his Assuredly that same dreadful hour, which came upon sins my father Jacob,^ when his soul was flying forth from his body, is now, behold, near at hand for me. Oh how wretched I am this day, and worthy of lamentation But God alone is the disposer of my soul and body; He also will deal with them
! ! !

His own good pleasure. These are the words spoken by Joseph, that righteous And T, going in beside him, found his soul exceedold man. ingly troubled, for he was placed in great perplexity. And I Hail said to him my father Joseph, thou righteous man how is it with thee ? And he answered me All hail my
after
17.
:
! :

!

well-beloved son.
already environed
soul

Indeed, the agony and fear of death have

me

;

but as soon as I heard Thy voice,
!

my
!

was

at rest.

Jesus of Nazareth
!

Jesus,

my

Saviour
!

Jesus, the deliverer of

sweetest

name

in

my soul Jesus, my protector Jesus my mouth, and in the mouth of all those
My
mother bore

Joseph's house, in the fifteenth year of her age.
(this

me

in a cave

seems a mistranslation

for mystery),

which

it is

unlawful either to

name

or seek,

and

and there is not in the whole creation a man who knows it, except me Father and the Holy Spirit. It is to be noted that the last clause is omitted in the Coptic. The phrase one essence was first used in regard to the doctrine of the Trinity by Augustine. 1 Cf. Job iii. = Cf. Ps. li. 5. 3 Matt. i. IG.

my

70
tliat

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
love
I
it
!

me

and ear which hearest, hear day I most humbly reverence Thee, and before Thy face I pour out my tears. Thou art
eye which
servant
;

seest,

!

am Thy

this

altogether

my God Thou
;

art

my

Lord, as the angel has told

me

my

times without number, and especially on that day when soul was driven about with perverse thoughts about the

pure and blessed Mary, who was carrying Thee in her womb, And and whom I was thinking of secretly sending away. while I was thus meditating, behold, there appeared to me in

my rest tery O
:

angels of the Lord, saying to

me

in a wonderful

mysas

Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take
;

Mary

thy wife and do not grieve thy soul, nor speak unbecoming words of her conception, because she is with child of the Holy Spirit, and shall bring forth a son, whose name shall be called Do not Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins. Lord for I was ignorant of the for this cause wish me evil,
!

mystery of Thy birth. I call to mind also, my Lord, that day when the boy died of the bite of the serpent. And his relations wished to deliver Thee to Herod, saying that Thou hadst killed him; but Thou didst raise him from the dead, and restore him to them. Then I went up to Thee, and took hold of Thy hand, saying My son, take care of thyself. But Thou didst say to me in reply Art thou not my father after the flesh ? Now therefore, Lord and I shall teach thee who I am.^ my God, do not be angry with me, or condemn me on account I am Thy servant, and the son of Thine handof that hour. maiden f but Thou art my Lord, my God and Saviour, most surely the Son of God. 18. When my father Joseph had thus spoken, he was unable And I saw that death now had dominion over to weep more. him. And my mother, virgin undefiled, rose and came to me, my beloved son, this pious old man Joseph is now saying And I answered: Oh, my dearest mother, assuredly dying. upon all creatures produced in this world the same necessity
: :

:

' The Saliidic has Joseph entreats Jesus to pardon him likewise, because when, once upon a time, He had recalled to life a boy bitten by a cerastes, he (Joseph) had pulled His right ear, advising Him to refrain from works that brought hatred upon Him. See Second Gospel of Thomas, ch. 5.
:

-

Fs. c.xvi. 16.

THE HISTORY OF JOSEPH THE CARPENTER.
of death lies; for death holds
race.

71

Even
life

thou,

my

virgin mother,

sway over the whole human must look for the same
yet thy death, as also the

end of

as other mortals.

And

death of this pious man, is not death, but life enduring to Nay more, even I must die, as concerns the body eternity. my venerable which I have received from thee. But rise,
mother, and go in to Joseph, that blessed old man, in order that thou mayst see what will happen as his soul ascends from his
body,
19.

My

undefiled mother Mary, therefore, went and entered

the place where Joseph was.

And

I

was

sitting at his feet

looking at him, for the signs of death already appeared in his countenance. And that blessed old man raised his head, and

kept his eyes fixed on my face but he had no power of speaking to me, on account of the agonies of death, which held him But he kept fetching many sighs. And I held in their grasp.
;

his

hands

for a

whole hour

;

and he turned his face

to

me, and

made

signs for

me

not to leave him.

Thereafter I put

my

hand upon

and perceived his soul now near his throat, preparing to depart from its receptacle. 20. And when my virgin mother saw me touching his body, she also touched his feet. And finding them already dead and
his breast,

destitute of heat, she said to

me

:

my

beloved son, assuredly

his feet are already beginning to stiffen,

and they are as cold

summoned his sons and daughters, and said to them Come, as many as there are of you, and go for assuredly he is now at the very point of to your father
as snow.

Accordingly she
:

;

death.

And

Assia, his daughter, answered and said:
is

Woe's

me,

m.y brothers, this

certainly the

same

disease that

my
I

beloved mother died of

And

she lamented and shed tears

and
also,

all

Joseph's other children

mourned along with

her.

and

my

mother Mary, wept along with them.^

21.

And

turning

my

eyes towards the region of the south, I

saw Death already approaching, and all Gehenna with him, closely attended by his army and his satellites; and their clothes, their faces, and their mouths poured forth flames.
1

The argument

of the Sahidic

is

:

He

of

whom

the oldest was Lysia the purple-seller.

sends for Joseph's sons and daughters, They all weep over their dying

father.

72

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
father Joseph

And when my

saw them coming

straight

to

him, his eyes dissolved in tears, and at the same time he Accordingly, when I saw groaned after a strange manner. the vehemence of his sighs, I drove back Death and all the
host of servants which accompanied him.

And

I called

upon

my

good Father, saying 22. Father of all mercy, eye which seest, and ear which hearest, hearken to my prayers and supplications in behalf of and send Michael, the prince of Thine the old man Joseph angels, and Gabriel, the herald of light, and all the light of Thine angels, and let their whole array walk with the soul of my father Joseph, until they shall have conducted it to Thee. This is the hour in which my father has need of compassion.
:

;

And

I say unto you, that all the saints, yea, as

many men

as

are born in the world, whetlier they be just or whether they

be perverse, must of necessity taste of death. 23. Therefore Michael and Gabriel came to the soul of my father Joseph, and took it, and wrapped it in a shining wrapper. Thus he committed his spirit into the hands of my good Father, and He bestowed upon him peace. But as yet none of his
children

knew that he had fallen asleep. And the angels preserved his soul from the demons of darkness which w^ere in
God even
until they conducted
it

the way, and praised
24.

into

the dwelling-place of the pious.
fore I reached forth

body was lying prostrate and bloodless; wheremy hand, and put right his eyes and shut my mother, where his mouth, and said to the virgin Mary is the skill which he showed in all the time that he lived in Lo it has perished, as if it had never existed. this world ?
his
: !

Now

And when
last,

his children heard

me

speaking with

my

mother,

the pure virgin, they

knew

that he had already breathed his

and they shed tears, and lamented. But I said to them Assuredly the death of your father is not death, but life everlasting for he has been freed from the troubles of this life, and has passed to perpetual and everlasting rest. When they
:

heard these words, they rent their clothes, and wept. 25. And, indeed, the inhabitants of Nazareth and of Galilee, having heard of their lamentation, flocked to them, and wept from the third hour even to the ninth. And at the ninth hour

THE HISTORY OF JOSEPH THE CARPENTER.
they
all

73

And they lifted his with costly imguents. But I entreated my Father in the prayer of the celestials that same prayer which with my own hand I made before I was carried
went together
to Joseph's bed.
it

body, after they had anointed

—

womb of the virgin Mary, my mother. And as soon as had finished it, and pronounced the amen, a great multitude of angels came up and I ordered two of them to stretch out their shining garments, and to wrap in them the body of Joseph, the blessed old man. 26. And I spoke to Joseph, and said: The smell or corruption of death shall not have dominion over thee, nor shall a worm ever come forth from thy body. 'Not a single limb of it shall be broken, nor shall any hair on thy head be changed. Nothing of thy body shall perish, my father Joseph, but it will remain entire and uncorrupted even until the banquet of the thousand years.i And whosoever shall make an offering on the day of thy remembrance, him will I bless and recompense in the congregation of the virgins and whosoever shall give food to the wretched, the poor, the widows, and orphans from the work of his hands, on the day on which thy memory shall be celebrated, and in thy name, shall not be in want of good things all the days of his life. And whosoever shall have given a cup of water, or of wine, to drink to the widow or orphan in thy name, I will give him to thee, that thou mayst go in with him to the banquet of the thousand years. And every man who shall present an off'ering on the day of thy commemoration will I bless and recompense in the church of the virgins for one I will render unto him thirty, sixty, and a hundred. And whosoever shall write the history of thy life, of thy labour, and thy departure from this world, and this narrative that has issued from my mouth, him shall I commit to thy keeping as long as he shall have to do with this life. And when his soul departs from the body, and when he must leave this world, I will burn the book of his sins, nor will I torment him with any punishment in the day of judgment but he
in the
I
;
; :

man who can give none of those things which I have mentioned this is incumbent So viz., if a son is born to him, he shall call his name Joseph. there shall not take place in that house either poverty or any sudden death for ever.
every poor
27. Thereafter the chief

And upon

men

of the city

came together

to the

place where the body of the blessed old
laid,

man Joseph had been
;

bringing with them burial-clothes
it

wrap wont

up

in

them

after the

manner

in

and they wished to which the Jews are

And they perceived that to arrange their dead bodies. he kept his shroud fast for it adhered to the body in such a way, that when they wished to take it off, it was found to be impossible to be moved or loosened. Nor could they like iron find any ends in that piece of linen, which struck them with the greatest astonishment. At length they carried him out to a place where there was a cave, and opened the gate, that they
;

—

there

might bury his body beside the bodies of his fathers. Then came into my mind the day on which he walked with me into Egypt, and that extreme trouble which he endured on my
account.

Accordingly, I bewailed his death for a long time
:

and lying upon his body, I said Death! who makest all knowledge to vanish away, 28. and raisest so many tears and lamentations, surely it is God my Father Himself who hath granted thee this power. For men die for the transgression of Adam and his wife Eve, and Death spares not so much as one. Nevertheless, nothing happens to any one, or is brought upon him, without the command There have certainly been men who have proof my Father. longed their life even to nine hundred years but they died. Yea, though some of them have lived longer, they have, notwithstanding, succumbed to the same fate nor has any one of them ever said I have not tasted death. For the Lord never sends the same punishment more than once, since it hath pleased my Father to bring it upon men. And at the very
;

;

:

'

All the fathers placed the purgatorial

fires,

as the ,

Greek Church does now,
toi'ward the sup-

at the

day of judgment.

Augustine was the
ii.

first

who brought

position tliat the purification took place in

Hades before the day of judgment.

Haa^,. Ilintoire des Dogmes,

323.

THE HISTORY OF JOSEPH THE CARPENTER.
moment when
to it
it,

75

going forth, beholds the
it

command descending
it

from heaven,
will greatly

says

:

I will go forth against that man,

and

move him.

Then, without delay,

makes an

onset on the soul, and obtains the mastery of it, doing with it whatever it will. For, because Adam did not the will of my

commandment, the wrath of my Father was kindled against him, and He doomed him to death and thus it was that death came into the world. But if Adam had observed my Father's precepts, death would never have Think you that I can ask my good Father fallen to his lot.
Father, but transgressed His
to send

my

fire,^ which may take up the body of and convey it to the place of rest, in order But on account of the that it may dwell with the spirits ? transgression of Adam, that trouble and violence of death has descended upon all the human race. And it is for this cause that I must die according to the flesh, for my work which I

me

a chariot of

father Joseph,

have created, that they may obtain grace. 29. Having thus spoken, I embraced the body of my father Joseph, and wept over it; and they opened the door of the tomb, and placed his body in it, near the body of his father And at the time when he fell asleep he had fulfilled Jacob. Never did a tooth in his mouth a hundred and eleven years. hurt him, nor was his eyesight rendered less sharp, nor his body bent, nor his strength impaired but he worked at his trade of a carpenter to the very last day of his life and that was the
; ;

six-and-twentieth of the
30.

things from our and prostrated ourselves in honour our Saviour, show us Thy grace. Now of Him, and said indeed we have heard the word of life nevertheless we wonder, our Saviour, at the fate of Enoch and Elias, inasmuch as they had not to undergo death. For truly they dwell in the habitation of the righteous even to the present day, nor have their bodies seen corruption. Yet that old man Joseph the
apostles,

And we

month Abib. when we heard these

Saviour, rose

up

joyfully,
:

:

carpenter was, nevertheless.

Thy
:

father after the flesh.

And

Thou

hast ordered us to go into all the world and preach the
;

holy gospel

my

father Joseph,

and Thou hast said Eelate to them the death of and celebrate to him with annual solemnity
^

2 Kings

ii.

11.

76

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
And whosoever
shall take anything

a festival and sacred day.

away from this narrative, or add anything to it, commits sin.-^ We wonder especially that Joseph, even from that day on which Thou wast born in Bethlehem, called Thee his son after the Wherefore, then, didst Thou not make him immortal flesh. as well as them, and Thou sayest that he was righteous and
chosen
31.
?

our Saviour answered and said: Indeed, the prophecy of my Father upon Adam, for his disobedience, has now been fulfilled. And all things are arranged according to the For if a man rejects the will and pleasure of my Father. commandment of God, and follows the works of the devil by committing sin, his life is prolonged for he is preserved in order that he may perhaps repent, and reflect that he must be But if any one has been delivered into the hands of death. zealous of good works, his life also is prolonged, that, as the fame of his old age increases, upright men may imitate him. But when you see a man whose mind is prone to anger, as;

And

suredly his days are shortened

;

for it is these that are

taken

away

in the flower of their age.

Every prophecy,

therefore,

which my Father has pronounced concerning the sons of men, must be fulfilled in every particular. But with reference to Enoch and Elias, and how they remain alive to this day, keeping the same bodies with which they were born; and as to what concerns my father Joseph, who has not been allowed as well as they to remain in the body indeed, though a man live in the world many myriads of years, nevertheless at some time or other he is compelled to exchange life for death. And my brethren, that they also, Enoch and Elias,'* I say to you, must towards the end of time return into the world and die in the day, namely, of commotion, of terror, of perplexity, and For Antichrist will slay four bodies, and will pour affliction. out their blood like water, because of the reproach to which they shall expose him, and the ignominy with which they, in
:

their lifetime, shall brand
32.

him when they reveal his impiety. God and Saviour, who are those four whom Thou hast said Antichrist will cut off from the reproach they bring upon him ? The Lord ansAvered

And we

said:

our Lord, our

1

Rfv. xxii. 18, 19.

^

Cl.

Rev.

xi.

3-12.

TTJE

HISTORY OF JOSEPH THE CARPENTEB.

77

are Enoch, Elias, Schila, and Tabitha.^ When we heard from our Saviour, we rejoiced and exulted and we offered air glory and thanksgiving to the Lord God, and our Saviour Jesus Christ. He it is to whom is due glory, honour, dignity, dominion, power, and praise, as well as to the good Father with Him, and to the Holy Spirit that givetli life, henceforth and in all time for evermore. Amen.

They
this

;

*

Acts

ix. 36.

Schila

is

proLably meant for the widow of Nain's sou.

THE GOSPEL OF THOMAS.
FIEST

GREEK FORM.

THOMAS THE ISRAELITE PHILOSOPHER'S ACCOUNT OF
THE INFANCY OF THE LORD.

THOMAS,

an

Israelite, write

you

this account,

that all the brethren from

among the heathen
of

may know
birth in our country.
2.

the

miracles

our Lord Jesus

Christ in His infancy, which

He

did after His
:

The beginning

of

it is

as follows

This child Jesus,

when

five years old,

was playing in the

ford of a

into pools,

mountain stream; and He collected the flowing waters and made them clear immediately, and by a word And having made some soft alone He made them obey Him. And it was the clay. He fashioned out of it twelve sparrows. And there were also Sabbath when He did these things. many other children playing with Him. And a certain Jew, seeing what Jesus was doing, playing on the Sabbath, went off immediately, and said to liis father Joseph Behold, thy son is at the stream, and has taken clay, and made of it twelve And Joseph, coming to birds, and has profaned the Sabbath. the place and seeing, cried out to Him, saying: Wherefore doest thou on the Sabbath what it is not lawful to do ? And Jesus clapped His hands, and cried out to the sparrows, and And the sparrows flew, and went Off you go said to them off crying. And the Jews seeing this were amazed, and went away and reported to their chief men what they had seen
:

:

!

Jesus doing.^
3.

And

the son of

Annas the
'

scribe

was standing there with

Pseudo-Matt. 26,
7S

etc.

THE GOSPEL OF THOMAS.
;

79

Joseph and lie took a willow branch, and let out the waters which Jesus had collected. And Jesus, seeing what was done, wicked, impious, and foolish was angry, and said to him what harm did the pools and the waters do to thee ? Behold, even now thou shalt be dried up like a tree, and thou shalt
:

not bring forth either leaves, or

root,^ or fruit.

And

straight-

way
went

that boy was quite dried up.

And

Jesus departed, and

to Joseph's house. But the parents of the boy that had been dried up took him up, bewailing his youth, and brought him to Joseph, and reproached him because [said they] thou hast such a child doing such things.^ 4. After that He was again passing through the village and a boy ran up against Him, and struck His shoulder. And Jesus was angry, and said to him Thou shalt not go back the way thou earnest. And immediately he fell down dead. And some who saw what had taken place, said Whence was this child begotten, that every word of his is certainly accomplished ? And the parents of the dead boy went away to Joseph, and blamed him, saying Since thou hast such a child, it is impossible for thee to live with us in the village ; or else teach him to bless, and not to curse } for he is killing our children. 5, And Joseph called the child apart, and admonished Him, saying Why doest thou such things, and these people sufter, and hate us, and persecute us ? And Jesus said I know that these words of thine are not thine own;"* nevertheless for thy sake I will be silent but they shall bear their punishment. And straightway those that accused Him were struck blind. And those who saw it were much afraid and in great perplexity, and said about Him Every v/ord which he spoke, whether good or bad, was an act, and became a wonder. And when they saw that Jesus had done such a thing, Joseph rose and took hold of His ear, and pulled it hard. And the child was very angry, and said to him It is enough for thee to seek, and not to find and most certainly thou hast not done
: :
:

:

:

;

:

:

;

'

Another reading

is,

branches.
Jesus, at the entreaty of all of them, healed him. to bless,

2

One MS. has
;

:

And

3

Or, either teach
for, etc.

him

and not

to curse, or depart with

him from

this

place
*

Or, are not mine, but thine.

80
wisely.

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
Knowest thou not
that I

am

thine

?

Do

not trouble

me.^
6.

And

a certain teacher, Zacchgeus

by name, was standing

in a certain place, and heard Jesus thus speaking to his father

and he wondered exceedingly,
speak in such a way.
Joseph, and said to

that,

being a child, he should

came to him Thou hast a sensible child, and he has some mind. Give him to me, then, that he may learn and I shall teach him along with the letters all knowletters ledge, both how to address all the elders, and to honour them
a few days thereafter he
:

And

;

and how to love those of his own him all the letters from the Alpha even And He looked to the Omega, clearly and with great exactness. upon the teacher Zacchseus, and said to him Thou who art
as forefathers
age.

and

fathers,

And He

said to

:

ignorant of the nature of the Alpha,
others the Beta
?
!

how

canst thou teach

the A, and then

Thou hypocrite first, if thou knowest, teach we shall believe thee about the B. Then He

began

to question the teacher about the first letter,

not able to answer Him.
child says to Zacchseus
letter,
:

And

in the hearing of

and he was many, the

Hear,

teacher, the order of the first

and notice here how it has lines, and a middle stroke (lines) brought tocrossing those which thou seest common gether the highest part supporting them, and again bringing them under one head with three points [of intersection] of the same kind principal and subordinate of equal length.
.

;

;

;

;

;

;

Thou hast
7.

the lines of the A.^

And when

the teacher Zacchseus heard the child speakfirst letter,

ing such and so great allegories of the

he was at

a great loss about such a narrative, and about His teaching. And he said to those that were present Alas I, wretch that
'

:

I am,

am

at a loss, bringing

shame upon myself by having

1

Pseudo-Matt. 29.
Pseud. :Matt. 30, 31.

2

Various explanations have been given of this

difiRcult

passage by annotators,
or of the

who refer it to the A of the Hebrew, or of the Greek, Armenian alphabet. It seems, however, to answer very closely to the old Phenician A, which was written <{ or YThe Paris MS. has And he sat down to teach Jesus the letters, and began the first letter Aleph and Jesus says the second, Beth, Gimel, and told him
:

My mind is filled with shame, my friends, because I, an old man, have been conquered by a child. There is nothing for me but despondency and death on account of this boy, for I am not able at this hour to look him in the face and when everybody says that I have been beaten by a little child, what can I say ? And how can I give an account of the lines of the first letter that he spoke about ? I know not, my friends for I can make neither beginning nor end of him. Therefore, I beseech thee, brother Joseph, take him home. What great thing he is, either god or angel, or what I am to say, I know
teacher.
;

not.i
8.

And when
and

the

Jews were encouraging Zacchseus, the

child laughed aloud, and said:
forth fruit,
let

Now

let

thy learning bring
I

the blind in heart see.

am

here from

may curse them, and call them to the things that are above, as He that sent me on your account has commanded And when the child ceased speaking, immediately all me. were made whole who had fallen under His curse. And no
above, that I

one after that dared to make Him angry, him, and he should be maimed.
9.

lest

He

should curse

after, Jesus was playing in an upper room and one of the children that were playing with Him fell down from the house, and was killed. And, when the other children saw this, they ran away, and Jesus alone stood still. And the parents of the dead child coming,

And some

days

of a certain house,

'

Instead of this chapter, the Paris MS. has

:

plexed, because he

knew not whence he knew the

And he was ashamed and perAnd he arose, and letters.

went home,

in great astonishment at this strange thing.

It then goes on with a fragment of the history of the dyer's shop, as given ia the Arabic Gospel of the Infancy, ch. 37.

82
reproaclieu^

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
.

down from

and tliey threatened Him. And Jesus leaped the roof, and stood beside the body of the child, and cried with a loud voice, and said Zeno— for that was his name— stand up, and tell me did I throw thee down ? And
. . :

;

he stood up immediately, and said Certainly not, my lord thou didst not throw me down, but hast raised me up. And And the_ those that saw this were struck with astonishment. child's parents glorified God on account of the miracle that had
:

happened, and adored Jesus.^ few days after, a young man was splitting wood in 10. the corner,^ and the axe came down and cut the sole of his foot

A

And there was a great in two, and he died from loss of blood. commotion, and people ran together, and the child Jesus ran
there too.
of the
diately.

And He

young man's wounded

pressed through the crowd, and laid hold foot, and he was cured imme:

And He said to the young man Kise up now, split And the crowd seeing what had the wood, and remember me. happened, adored the child, saying Truly the Spirit of God
:

dwells in this child.

Him 11. And when He was six years old, his mother gave a pitcher, and sent Him to draw water, and bring it into the But He struck against some one in the crowd, and the house. And Jesus unfolded the cloak which He pitcher was broken. had on, and filled it with water, and carried it to His mother.
And His
Him, and kept within
mother, seeing the miracle that had happened, kissed herself the mysteries which she had seen
again in seed-time the child went out with His And while His father was their land.

Him
12.

doing.*

And

father to

sow corn in

And sowing, the child Jesus also sowed one grain of corn. when He had reaped it, and threshed it, He made a hundred kors;" and calling all the poor of the village to the threshingfloor,
»

He

gave them the corn, and Joseph took away what was
inserts
I

One of the mss. of the Latin Gospel made him fall down. And Jesus said
2

:

never

here—Jesus, saying made him fall.

:

Indeed, you

3

Pseudo-Matt. 32. A better reading would be
Pseudo-Matt. 33.

h

Tj5

yurovict, in the neighbourhood, for

lj/

t>j

yuvic», in the corner.
*

^

The kor

or

chomer was, according

to Jahn, 32 pecks 1

pint

THE GOSPEL OF THOMAS.
left of

83
did this

the corn.

And He was
father

eight years old

when He

miracle.^
1 3.

And His

was a

carpenter,

and

at that time

ploughs and yokes.

make him

a couch.

And a certain rich man And one of what is called
:

ordered

made him to

the cross pieces

being too short, they did not

Jesus said to His father wood, and make them even in the middle. And Joseph did And Jesus stood at the other end, as the child said to him.

know what to do. The child Joseph Put down the two pieces of

and took hold of the shorter piece of wood, and stretched it, and made it equal to the other. And His father Joseph saw it, and wondered, and embraced the child, and kissed Him, saying:
Blessed
14.

am I, because God has And Joseph, seeing that

given

me

this child.^

the child was vigorous in

mind

and body, again resolved that He should not remain ignorant of the letters, and took Him away, and handed Him over to another teacher. And the teacher said to Joseph I shall first teach him the Greek letters, and then the Hebrew. For the. teacher was aware of the trial that had been made of the Nevertheless he wrote out the child, and was afraid of Him. alphabet, and gave Him all his attention for a long time, and He made him no answer. And Jesus said to him If thou art really a teacher, and art well acquainted with the letters, tell me the power of the Alpha, and I will tell thee the power of And the teacher was enraged at this, and struck the Beta. Him on the head. And the child, being in pain, cursed him and immediately he swooned away, and fell to the ground on his face. And the child returned to Joseph's house; and Joseph was grieved, and gave orders to His mother, saying Do
: :

:

not let him go outside of the door, because those that him angry die.^
15.

make

And

after

some time, another master

again, a genuine

friend of Joseph, said to

him

:

Bring the child to

my

school

perhaps I shall be able to flatter him into learning his letters. And Joseph said If thou hast the courage, brother, take him with thee. And he took Him with him in fear and great
:

into the school.
'

agony but the child went along pleasantly. And going boldly He found a book lying on the reading-desk;
;

Pseudo-Matt. 34.

2

Pseudo-Matt. 37.

*

Pseudo-Matt. 38.

84

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.

and taking it, He read not the letters that were in it, but opening His mouth, He spoke by the Holy Spirit, and taught And a great crowd the law to those that were standing round. having come together, stood by and heard Him, and wondered at the ripeness of His teaching, and the readiness of His words, and that He, child as He was, spoke in such a way. And Joseph hearing of it, was afraid, and ran to the school, in doubt lest
this master too should be without experience.^

And

the master

said to Joseph
as a scholar,

:

Know,

brother, that I have taken the child
of

and he

is full

nmch

grace and

wisdom
:

;

but I

And when the child beseech thee, brother, take him home. heard this. He laughed at him directly, and said Since thou
hast spoken aright, and witnessed aright, for thy sake he also
that was struck

down

shall be cured.

And

immediately the

other master was cured.

And Joseph

took the child, and went

away
16.

home.''

sent his son James to tie up wood and home, and the child Jesus also followed him. And when James was gathering the fagots, a viper bit James' hand. And when he was racked [with pain], and at the point of death, Jesus came near and blew upon the bite and the pain ceased directly, and the beast burst, and instantly James remained safe and sound.® 17. And after this the infant of one of Joseph's neighbours And Jesus heard fell sick and died, and its mother wept sore. that there was great lamentation and commotion, and ran in haste, and found the child dead, and touched his breast, and said I say to thee, child, be not dead, but live, and be with thy mother. And directly it looked up and laughed. And He said to the woman Take it, and give it milk, and remember me. And seeing this, the crowd that was standing by wondered, and said Truly this child was either God or an angel of

And Joseph

bring

it

;

:

:

:

God, for every w^ord of his is a certain fact. out thence, playing with the other children.*
18.

And

Jesus went

And some

time after there occurred a great commotion

while a house was building, and Jesus stood up and w^ent away And seeing a man lying dead. He took him by to the place.
'

Tischendorf suggests

eei/axojaof,
^

maimed,

for uTreipoi.
*

2

Pseudo-Matt. 39.

Pseudo-Matt. 41.

Pseudo-Matt. 40.

THE GOSPEL OF THOMAS.
the hand, and said
:

85

thy work.
seeing this,

heaven, for
19.

and go on with and adored Him. And the crowd wondered, and said This child is from he has saved many souls from death, and he conI say to thee, arise,

Man,

And

directly he rose up,

:

tinues to save during all his

life.

And when He was And

twelve years old His parents went as
fel-

usual to Jerusalem to the feast of the passover with their
low-travellers.
after the passover

they were coming

home

And while they were coming home, the child Jesus went back to Jerusalem. And His parents thought that He was in the company. And having gone one day's journey, they sought for Him among their relations and not finding Him, they were in great grief, and turned back to the city seeking And after the third day they found Him in the for Him.
again.
;

temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both hearing the

law and asking them questions. And they were all attending to Him, and wondering that He, being a child, was shutting the mouths of the elders and teachers of the people, explaining the main points of the law and the parables of the prophets. And His mother Mary coming up, said to Him Why hast thou done this to us, child ? Behold,' we have been seeking for thee in great trouble. And Jesus said to them Why do you seek
:
:

Do you not know that I must be about my Father's business ? And the scribes and the Pharisees said Art thou the mother of this child? And she said: I am. And they
me
?
:

for God hath such glory, and such virtue and wisdom, we have neither seen nor heard ever. And Jesus rose up, and followed His mother, and was subject to His parents. And His mother observed all these things that had

said to her: Blessed art thou

among women,

blessed the fruit of thy

womb

;

for

happened.
grace.^

And

To whom be glory
'

Jesus advanced in wisdom, and stature, and for ever and ever. Amen.
Luke
ii.

41-52.

THE GOSPEL OF THOMAS.
SECOND GREEK FORM.

THE WRITING OF THE HOLY APOSTLE THOMAS
CONCERNING THE CHILDHOOD OF THE LORD.

THOMAS
to

the Israelite have deemed it necessary to all the brethren of the heathen the great things which our Lord Jesus Christ did in His childhood, when He dwelt in the

make known

hody in the
2.

city of Nazareth, going in the fifth year of His age. one of the days, there heing a rain-storm, He went out the ground of the house where His mother was, and played on where the waters were flowing. And He made pools, and brought in the waters, and the pools were filled with water. Then He says It is my will that you become clear and excel-

On

:

lent waters.

boy, the son of

they became so directly. And a certain Annas the scribe, came past, and with a willow branch which he was carrying threw down the pools, and the impious water flowed out. And Jesus turning, said to him

And

:

and wicked, how have the pools wronged thee, that thou hast emptied them ? Thou shalt not go on thy way, and thou shalt And as be dried up like the branch which thou art carrying. And he went along, in a short time he fell down and died. children that were playing with him saw this, they when the
wondered, and went away and told the father of the dead boy. And he ran and found his child dead, and he went away and
reproached Joseph. twelve sparrows, and it was 3. And Jesus made of that clay Behold, the Sabbath. And a child ran and told Joseph, saying
:

THE GOSPEL OF THOMAS.
thy
cliild
is

87

playing about the stream, and of the clay he has

is not lawful. And when he heard this, he went, and said to the child Why dost thou do this, proBut Jesus gave him no answer, but faning the Sabbath? looked upon the sparrows, and said Go away, fly, and live, and remember me. And at this word they flew, and went up And when Joseph saw it, he wondered. into the air. 4. And some days after, when Jesus was going through the midst of the city, a boy threw a stone at Him, and struck Him on the shoulder. And Jesus said to him Thou shalt not go on thy way. And directly falling down, he also died. And they that happened to be there were struck with astonishment, saying Whence is this child, that every word he says is cerAnd they also went and reproached tainly accomplished ? Joseph, saying It is impossible for thee to live with us in this city but if thou wishest to do so, teach thy child to bless, and not to curse for he is killing our children, and everything that he says is certainly accomplished. 5. And Joseph was sitting in his seat, and the child stood before him and he took hold of Him by the ear, and pinched And Jesus looked at him steadily, and said It is it hard. enough for thee. 6. And on the day after he took Him by the hand, and led Him to a certain teacher, Zacchseus by name, and says to him O master, take this child, and teach him his letters. And he says Hand him over to me, brother, and I shall teach him the Scripture and I shall persuade him to bless all, and not to And Jesus hearing, laughed, and said to them: You curse. say what you know; but I know more than you, for I am before the ages. And I know when your fathers' fathers were born and I know how many are the years of your life. And hearing this, they were struck with astonishment. And again Jesus said to them You wonder because I said to you that I knew how many are the years of your life. Assuredly I know when the world was created. Behold, you do not believe me now. When you see my cross, then will ye believe that I speak the truth. And they were struck with astonishment when they heard these things. 7. And Zacchseus, having written the alphabet in Hebrew,

made

sparrows, which

:

:

:

:

:

;

:

;

:

:

;

;

:

88
says to

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
Him
: :

Alpha.
;

And

the child says

:

Alpha.

And

again

Alpha and the teacher says the Alpha for the
the teacher
in the master's face, says
:

Then again the third time. Then Jesus, looking How canst thou, not knowing the
child likewise.

Alpha, teach another the Beta? And the child, beginning from the Alpha, said by Himself the twenty-two letters. Then also

He

says again

:

Hear,

teacher, the order of the first letter,

and know how many entrances and lines it has, and strokes common, crossing and coming together. And when Zaccheeus heard such an account of the one letter, he was so struck with astonishment, that he could make no answer. And he turned and said to Joseph: This child assuredly, brother, does not belong to the earth. Take him, then, away from me. 8. And after these things, on one of the days Jesus was playing with other children on the roof of a house. And one boy was pushed by another, and hurled down upon the ground, and he died. And seeing this, the boys that were playing with him ran away; and Jesus only was left standing upon the roof from which the boy had been hurled down. And when the news was brought to the parents of the dead boy, they ran weeping and finding their boy lying dead upon the ground, and Jesus standing above, they supposed that their boy had been thrown down by Him and fixing their eyes upon Him, they reviled Him. And seeing this, Jesus directly came down from the roof, and stood at the head of the dead body, and says Stand up, and tell us. to him Zeno, did I throw thee down ? For this was the name of the boy. And at the word the boy stood up and adored Jesus, and said My lord, thou didst not throw me down, but thou hast brought me to life when I was
; ;
:
:

dead.
9. And a few days after, one of the neighbours, when splitting wood, cut away the lower part of his foot with the axe, and was on the point of death from loss of blood. And a great number

of people ran together,

and Jesus came with them

to the place.

And He

took hold of the young man's wounded foot, and cured him directly, and says to him Eise up, split thy wood. And
:

he rose up and adored Him, giving thanks, and splitting the wood. Likewise also all that were there wondered, and gave thanks to Him.

THE GOSPEL OF THOMAS.
10.

89
sent

And when He was
to bring

six years old,

Mary His mother

Him

water from the fountain.

And

as

the pitcher was broken.
fiUed

And
to

going to the

He went along, fountain He unAnd
seeing this,

folded His overcoat, and drew water from the fountain, and
it,

and took the water

His mother.

she was struck with astonishment, and embraced
kissed

Him, and

Him.

11. And when Jesus had come to the eighth year of His age, Joseph was ordered by a certain rich man to make him a couch. For he was a carpenter. And he went out into the field to get wood and Jesus went with him. And having cut two pieces of wood, and smoothed them with the axe, he put the one beside the other and in measuring he found it too short. And when he saw this he was grieved, and sought to find another
; ;

piece.

And

seeing this, Jesus says to

him: Put these two
even.

pieces together, so as to

make both ends
:

And

Joseph, in
told.

doubt as to what the child should mean, did as he was

it. Then Jesus also, towards Himself, and made it equal to the other piece of wood. And He says to Joseph Grieve no more, but do thy work without hindrance. And seeing this, he wondered greatly, and says to himself:

And He says to him again Take a firm And Joseph, in astonishment, took hold
taking hold of the other end, drew

hold of the short piece.
of

it

:

Blessed

am

I,

because

God has given me such a

boy.

And

Joseph gave an account of the matter to Mary. And when she heard and saw the strange miracles of her son, she rejoiced and glorified Him, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and for evermore.
to the city,

when they came back

Amen.

THE GOSPEL OF THOMAS.
LATIN FORM.

HEKE BEGINNETH THE TREATISE OF THE BOYHOOD OF JESUS ACCORDING TO THOMAS.
Chap.
1.

How Mary and
search

Joseph fied with

Him

into Egypt.

HEN
kill

a commotion took place in consequence of the

made by Herod for our Lord Jesus Christ to Him, then an angel said to Joseph Take Mary and her boy, and flee into Egypt from the face of those who seek to kill Him. And Jesus was two years old when He went into Egypt. And as He was walking through a field of corn. He stretched forth His hand, and took of the ears, and put them over the fire, and rubbed them, and began to eat. And when they had come into Egypt, they received hospi:

tality in the

house of a certain widow, and they remained in
year.

the same place one year.

And seeing boys playing, And He took a dried fish, and put it into a basin, and ordered it to move about. And it began to move about. And He said again to the fish Throw out thy salt which thou hast, and walk into the water. And And the neighbours, seeing what had been it so came to pass. done, told it to the widow woman in whose house Mary His mother lived. And as soon as she heard it, she thrust them And Jesus was in His third He began to play with them.
:

out of her house with great haste.

Chap.

2.

How

a schoolmaster thrust

Him

out of the

city.

was walking with Mary His mother through the middle of the city market-place. He looked and saw a
as Jesus
90

And

THE GOSPEL OF THOMAS.
rows that were quarrelling
that schoolmaster,

01

schoolmaster teaching his scholars. And behold twelve sparfell over the wall into the bosom of

Jesus was very
teacher saw
great fury:
carried

who was teaching the boys. And seeing much amused, and stood still. And when
bring

this,

that

Him making
Go and
to the master,

merry, he said to his scholars with

Him
:

him to me. And when they had he seized Him by the ear, and said

amuse thee so much ? And He said hand full of wheat. I showed it to them, and scattered the wheat among them, and they carry it out of the middle of the street where they are in danger and on this account they fought among themselves to divide the wheat. And Jesus did not pass from the place until it was

What

didst thou see, to

to

him

Master, see

my

;

accomplished.

And this

being done, the master began to thrust

Him

out of the city, along with His mother.

Chap.

3.

How

Jesus went out of

Egij'pt.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord met Mary, and said to her Take up the boy, and return into the land of the Jews, for they who sought His life are dead. And Mary rose up with Jesus and they proceeded into the city of Nazareth, which is among the possessions of her father. And when Joseph went out of Egypt after the death of Herod, he kept Him in the desert until there should be quietness in Jerusalem on the part of those who were seeking the boy's life. And he gave thanks to God because He had given him understanding, and because he had found favour in the presence of the Lord God.
;

Amen.
Chap,
It
is
4.

— Wliat

the

Lord Jesus did in

the city of Nazareth.

glorious that

Thomas

the Israelite and apostle of the

Lord gives an account also of the works of Jesus after He came out of Egypt into Nazareth. Understand all of you, my dearest brethren, what the Lord Jesus did when He was in the city of Nazareth the first chapter of which is as follows And when Jesus was five years old, there fell a great rain upon the earth, and the boy Jesus walked up and down through And there was a terrible rain, and He collected it into a it. fish-pond, and ordered it by His word to become clear. And
;
:

92

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
it

Again He took of the clay whicli so. and made of it to the number of twelve And it was the Sabbath when Jesus did this among sparrows. the boys of the Jews. And the boys of the Jews went away, and said to Joseph His father Behold, thy son was playing along with us, and he took clay and made sparrows, which it was not lawful to do on the Sabbath and he has broken it. And Joseph went away to the boy Jesus, and said to Him Why hast thou done this, which it was not lawful to do on the SablDath ? And Jesus opened His hands, and ordered the sparrorws, saying Go up into the air, and fly nobody shall kill you. And they flew, and began to cry out, and praise God Almighty. And the Jews seeing what had happened, wondered, and went away and told the miracles which Jesus had done. But a Pharisee who was with Jesus took an olive branch, and began to let the water out of the fountain which Jesus had made. And when Jesus saw this, He said to him in a rage Thou impious and ignorant Sodomite, what harm have my works the Behold, thou shalt become like foimtains of water done thee ? And a dry tree, having neither roots, nor leaves, nor fruit. immediately he dried up, and fell to the ground, and died. And his parents took him away dead, and reproached Joseph, saying See what thy son has done teach him to pray, and
immediately

became

was

of that fish-pond,

:

;

:

;

:

:

;

not to blaspheme.

Chap.

5.

Iloiu the citizens were enraged against Joseph

on

account of the doings of Jesus.

And a few days after, as Jesus was walking through the town with Joseph, one of the children ran up and struck Jesus on the arm. And Jesus said to him So shalt thou not finish thy journey. And immediately he fell to the ground, and died. And those who saw these wonderful things cried out, saying Whence is that boy ? And they said to Joseph It is not And Joseph went and right for such a boy to be among us. And they said to him Go away from this brought Him. place but if thou must live with us, teach him to pray, and
: : :

;

not to blaspheme
called Jesus,

pheme ?

but our children have been killed. Joseph and reproved Him, saying Wliy dost thou blasFor these people who live here hate us. And Jesus
: :

THE GOSPEL OF THOMAS.
said
:

93

I

know

that these words are not mine, but thine

;

but I
it

will hold

my

tongue for thy sake

:

and

let

them

see to

in

immediately those who were speaking against Jesus became blind. And they walked up and down, and said: All the words which proceed from his mouth are accomplished. And Joseph seeing what Jesus had done, in a
their wisdom.

And

Him by the ear and Jesus said to Joseph in anger enough for thee to see me, not to touch me. For thou knowest not who I am but if thou didst know, thou wouldst
fury seized
It is
;

;

not
I

make me angry. And although was made before thee.
Chap.
6.

just

now

I

am

with thee,

How

Jesus was treated ly the schoolmaster.

Therefore a certain

man named Zacheus

listened to all that

Jesus was saying to Joseph, and in great astonishment said to himself: Such a boy speaking in this way I have never seen. And he went up to Joseph, and said That is an intelligent boy of thine; hand him over to me to learn his letters;
:

and when he has thoroughly learned

his letters, I shall teach

him honourably,
alone.

so

that he

answered and said to You do not believe that that little boy will be of little consequence? And when Jesus heard Joseph speaking in this way. He said to Zacheus Indeed, master, whatever proceeds from my mouth is true. And before all I was Lord, but you are foreigners. To me has been given the glory of the
:

may be no fool. But Joseph him: No one can teach him but God

ages, to
ages.

you has been given nothing
I

;

because I
life

am

before the

thou wilt have, and that thou wilt be carried into exile and my Father hath appointed this, that thou mayest understand that whatever proceeds from my mouth is true. And the Jews who were
:

And

know how many

years of

standing by, and hearing the words which Jesus spoke, were astonished, and said: have seen such wonderful things, and heard such words from that boy, as we have never heard,

We

nor are likely to hear from any other human being, either from the high priests, or the masters, or the Pharisees. Jesus answered and said to them Why do you wonder ? Do you
:

—
I

consider

it

incredible that I have spoken the truth
fathers

?

know
you

when both you and your

were born, and, to

tell

94 more,

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
when
the world was

made

;

I

know

also

who

sent

me

to you.^

And when

the Jews heard the words which the child

had spoken, they wondered, because that they were not able And, communing with Himself, the child exulted to answer. and said I have told you a proverb and I know that you are weak and ignorant.
:

;

And that schoolmaster said to Joseph Bring him to me, and I shall teach him letters. And Joseph took hold of the boy Jesus, and led Him to the house of a certain schoolmaster, where other boys were being taught. Now the master in soothing words began to teach Him His letters, and wrote for Him the first line, which is from A to T,^ and began to stroke Him and teach Him. And that teacher struck the child on the head and when He had received the blow, the child said to him I know the letters I should teach thee, and not thou me which thou wishest to teach me, and I know that you are to me like vessels from which there come forth only sounds, and no wisdom. And, beginning the line, He said the letters from A to T in full, and very fast. And He looked at the master, and said to him Thou indeed canst not tell us what A and B
:

;

:

are

;

how

dost thou wish to teach others

?

hypocrite,

if

thou knowest and will tell me about the A, then will I tell thee about the B. And when that teacher began to telP about the first letter, he was unable to give any answer. And Jesus Listen to me, master understand the first said to Zacheus See how it has two lines; advancing in the middle, letter.
:

;

standing

still,

giving, scattering, varying, threatening; triple
at

intermingled with double;

the same time

homogeneous,

having

all

common.*

so divided the first letter, was and about such a human being and such learning and he cried out, and said Woe's me, for I am quite stupefied; I have brought disgrace upon myself through that child. And he said to Joseph I earnestly en-

And

Zacheus, seeing that

He

stupefied about the

first letter,

;

:

:

'

A slight alteration is here
:

made upon the punctuation
tell

of the original.

*

3
*

This refers to the Hebrew alphabet. And when He began to Better, perhaps This passage
is

that teacher.

little

The writer of this Gospel knew very Greek, and probably the text from which he was translating was also
hopelessly corrupt.

here in a bad state.

THE GOSPEL OF THOMAS.
treat thee, brother, take

95

I cannot Because that for he was born before child can tame fire and bridle the sea What womb brought him forth, or what mother^ the ages.

him away from me, because
:

look upon his

face,

nor hear his mighty words.

know not. Oh, my friends, I am driven out of have become a wretched laugliing-stock. And I but he has been found to be my said that I had got a scholar And my disgrace I cannot get over, because I am an master. and what to say to him I cannot find. All I have old man to do is to fall into some grievous illness, and depart from this world; or to leave this town, because all have seen my disgrace. An infant has deceived me. What answer can I give to others, or what words can I say, because he has got the
nursed him, I

my

senses

;

I

;

;

better of
friends

me in the first letter? I am struck dumb, my and acquaintances neither beginning nor end can I find of an answer to him. And now I beseech thee, brother Joseph, take him away from me, and lead him home, because he is a master, or the Lord, or an angel. What to say I do not know. And Jesus turned to the Jews who were with Zacheus, and said to them Let all not seeing see, and not understanding understand let the deaf hear, and let those who are dead through me rise again and those who are exalted, let me call to still higher things, as He who sent me to you hath commanded me. And when Jesus ceased speaking, all who had been affected with any infirmity through His words were made whole. And they did not dare to speak to Him.
;
:

;

;

Chap.

7.

Hoiu Jesus raised a loy

to life.

One

day,

when Jesus was climbing on

a certain house, along

with the children,
the boys
fell

He began

to play

with them.

And
;

one of

down through

a back-door, and died immediately.

And when

the children saw this, they all ran away but Jesus remained in the house.^ And when the parents of the boy who had died had come, they spoke against Jesus Surely it was thou who made him fall down; and they reviled Him. And Jesus, coming down from the house, stood over the dead
: '

The Greek

original has uriTfa,

which he seems

to have confounded with

"

Or, on the house.

96
child,

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
:

and with a loud voice called out the name of the child and say whether it was I that made thee fall down. And suddenly he rose up, and said: No, my lord. And his parents, seeing such a great miracle done by Jesus, glorified God, and adored Jesus.
Sinoo, Sinoo, rise

Chap.

8.

How

Jesus healed a hoy's foot.

a few days thereafter, a boy in that town was splitting wood, and struck his foot. And a great crowd went to him, and Jesus too went with them. And He touched the foot

And

which had been

hurt,

and immediately

it

was made whole.

And

Jesus said to him: Pdse, and split the wood, and remember me. And when the crowd saw the miracles that were done by Him, they adored Jesus, and said Indeed, we most surely
:

believe that

Thou
9.

art

God.

Chap.

— How Jesus carried ivater in a cloak.

Jesus was six years old. His mother sent Him to draw water. And when Jesus had come to the fountain, or to the well, there were great crowds there, and they broke His

And when

pitcher.
it

And He took the cloak which He had on, and filled And His with water, and carried it to His mother Mary. mother, seeing the miracles which Jesus had done, kissed Him,
and said
:

Lord, hear me, and save

my

son.

Chap.

10.

How

Jesus sowed wheat.

In the time of sowing, Joseph went out to sow wheat, and Jesus followed him. And when Joseph began to sow, Jesus stretched out His hand, and took as much wheat as He could hold in His fist, and scattered it. Joseph therefore came at reaping-time to reap his harvest. Jesus came also, and collected the ears which He had scattered, and they made a hundred pecks ^ of the best grain and He called the poor, and the widows, and the orphans, and distributed to them the wheat which He had made. Joseph also took a little ot the same
;

wheat, for the blessing of Jesus to his house. 1 The modim or modium was almost exactly two

gallons.

THE GOSPEL OF THOMAS.
Chap.
11.

97

Hoio Jesus made a short piece of wood of same length as a longer one.

the

And Jesus reached the age of eight years. Joseph was a master builder/ and used to make ploughs and ox-yokes. And one day a rich man said to Joseph Master, make me a couch,
:

both useful and beautiful.
cause the
short.

And Joseph was
:

in distress, be-

hold of
let

wood which he had brought ^ for the work was too And Jesus said to him Do not be annoyed. Take this piece of wood by one end, and I by the other and
;

and immediately he found it useful for that which he wished. And He said to Joseph Behold, do the work which thou wishest. And Joseph, seeing what He had done, embraced Him, and said Blessed am I, because God hath given me such a son.
it out.

us draw

And

they did so

;

:

Chap.

12.

How

Jesus was handed over

to

learn

His

letters.

And

Joseph, seeing that

He had

such favour, and that

He

was increasing in stature, thought it right to take Him to learn His letters. And He handed Him over to another teacher to

And that teacher said to Joseph What letters me to teach that boy ? Joseph answered and said: First teach Him the Gentile letters, and then the Hebrew. For the teacher knew that He was very intelligent, and willingly took Him in hand. And writing for Him the first line,
be taught.
:

dost thou wish

which is A and B, he taught Him for some hours.^ Bvit Jesus was silent, and made him no answer. Jesus said to the master: If thou art indeed a master, and if thou indeed knowest the letters, tell me the power * of the A, and I shall tell thee the power of the B. Then His master was filled with fury, and struck Him on the head. And Jesus was angry, and cursed him and he suddenly fell down, and died.
;

And

Jesus returned home.
to let

And

Joseph gave orders to Mary
of his house.

His mother, not
^

Him

go out of the court

But probably

architector here is equal to rixrcov, a carpenter.

^ 2 *

Perhaps sectum, cut, is the true reading, and not actum. This is his translation of Itt) -jroXkiiv upav.

Here again he makes a mistranslation

^vva/ns, fortitudo.

98

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
Chap.
1 3.

How He

was handed

over to another master.

Many
and said

days after came another teacher, a friend of Joseph,
to

him: Hand him over

sweetness will teach

him

his

him

:

If thou art able, take

and I with much And Joseph said to him and teach him. May it be
to me,
letters.

attended with joy.
tion.

When

the teacher had taken

Him, he went
with exultaHe found

along in fear and in great firmness, and held

Him

And when He had come

to the teacher's house,

a book lying there, and took it and opened it, and did not read what was written in the book but opened His mouth, and spoke from the Holy Spirit, and taught the law. And, indeed, all who were standing there listened to Him attentively and the master sat down beside Him, and listened to Him with pleasure, and entreated Him to teach them more. And a great crowd being gathered together, they heard all the holy teaching which He taught, and the choice words which came forth from the mouth of Him who, child as He was, spake such
; ;

things.

And

Joseph, hearing of

this,

was

afraid,

and running ^
:

.

.

.

the master, where Jesus was, said to Joseph
that I have received thy child to teach

him

or

Know, brother, train him but
;

with much gravity and wisdom. Lo, now, take him home with joy, my brother; because the gravity which he has, has been given him by the Lord. And Jesus, hearing the master thus speaking, became cheerful, and said Lo, now, master, thou hast truly said. For thy sake, he who is dead shall rise again. And Joseph took Him home. he
is filled
:

Chap.

14.

Hoiv Jesus delivered James from
serpent.

the lite of

a

And Joseph sent James to gather straw, and Jesus followed And while James was gathering the straw, a viper bit him and he fell to the ground, as if dead from the poison. And
him.
;

Jesus seeing this, blew upon

liis

wound
died.

;

and immediately James

was made whole, and the viper
'

Some words

liave

been omitted here in the MS., but the sense

is

obvious

enough.

THE GOSPEL OF
Chap.
15.

TH03JAS.

99

Roiv Jesus raised a hoy

to life.

few days after, a child, His neighbour, died, and his mother mourned for him sore. Jesus, hearing this, went and stood over the boy, and knocked upon his breast, and said I
:

A

immediately the child rose up. And Jesus said to the boy's mother Take thy son, and give him the breast, and remember me. And the crowd, seeing this miracle, said In truth, this child is from heaven for already has he freed many souls from death, and he has made whole all that hope in him. The scribes and Pharisees said to Mary Art thou the mother
live.
: :

say to thee, child, do not die, but

And

;

:

Indeed I am. And they said to her Blessed art thou among women,^ since God hath blessed the fruit of thy womb, seeing that He hath given thee such a glorious child, and such a gift of wisdom, as we have never Jesus rose up and foUowed His mother. seen nor heard of. And Mary kept in her heart all the great miracles that Jesus had done among the people, in healing many that were diseased. And Jesus grew in stature and wisdom and aU who saw Him glorified God the Father Almighty, who is blessed for ever and
of this child
:

?

And Mary

said

:

;

ever.

Amen.

all these things I Thomas the Israelite have written have seen, and have recounted them to the Gentiles and to our brethren, and many other things done by Jesus, who was born in the land of Judah. Behold, the house of Israel has seen all, from the first even to the last how great signs and wonders Jesus did among them, which were exceedingly good, and invisible to their father,^ as holy Scripture relates, and the prophets have borne witness to His works in aU the peoples of And He it is who is to judge the world according to Israel. the will of immortality, since He is the Son of God throughout To Him is due all glory and honour for ever, all the world. who lives and reigns God through all ages of ages. Amen.

After
I

what

;

i
^

Luke

i.

28.

This,. I think,

means

:

and which

their father Israel,

i.e.

their fathers gene-

rally,

had not

seen.

THE AEABIC GOSPEL OF THE INFANCY OF THE SAYIOUE.

jN the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, one God.

With

the help and favour of the

Most High we
is

begin to write a book of the miracles of our Lord

and Master and Saviour Jesus
Gospel of the Infancy
:

Christ,

which

called

the

in the peace of the Lord.

Amen.

1.

We

find^

what follows

in the

priest,

who

lived in the time of Christ.

book of Joseph the high Some say that he is

Caiaphas.^

He

has said that Jesus spoke, and, indeed,
:

He was
forth, as

lying in His cradle said to

Jesus, the

Son of God, the Logos, the angel Gabriel announced

when Mary His mother I am whom tho* hast brought
to thee
;

and

my

Father

has sent
2.

me

for the salvation of the world.

In the three hundred and ninth year of the era of Alex-

ander, Augustus put forth an edict, that every

man

should be
arose,

enrolled

in

his

native

place.

Joseph therefore
to
'

and

taking

Mary

his spouse,

went away

Jerusalem, and came

to Bethlehem, to be enrolled along with his family in his native
city.

And

having come to a cave, Mary told Joseph that the

time of the birth was at hand, and that she could not go into the city; but, said she, let us go into this cave. This took place at sunset. And Joseph went out in haste to go for a
^

Or, have found.

2

He

is

called Joseph Caiaphas in Josephiis, Antiq. xviii.

2.

2.

3

The Latin

translation in Tischendorf has Hierosolyma, which, as the form
is

in the rest of the translation

feminine,

means "from Jerusalem."
ace. plural of the neut.

But
form

as the

Arabic can mean only " to Jer\isaleni," the here intended.
100

may

be

ATiABlC GOSPEL OF

THE SAVIOUR'S INFANCY.

101

When, therefore, he was busy about to be near her. he saw an Hebrew old woman belonging to Jerusalem, and said Come hither, my good woman, and go into this cave, in which there is a woman near her time. 3. Wherefore, after sunset, the old woman, and Joseph with And, behold, her, came to the cave, and they both went in. it was filled with lights more beautiful than the gleaming of lamps and candles,-^ and more splendid than the light of the sun. The child, enwrapped in swaddling-clothes, was sucking the breast of the Lady Mary His mother, being placed in a And when both were wondering at this light, the old stall. woman asks the Lady Mary Art thou the mother of this
that,
: :

woman

child

?

And when

the

Lady Mary gave her

assent, she says

Thou
said
lias
:

The Lady INIary As my son has no equal among children, so his mother no equal among women. The old woman replied My
art not at all like the daughters of Eve.
:

mistress, I

payment I have been for a long time Our mistress the Lady Mary said to her affected with palsy. Place thy hands upon the child. And the old woman did so, and was immediately cured. Then she went forth, saying Henceforth I will be the attendant and servant of this child all
to get
;

came

the days of
4.

my

life.
;

and when they had lighted a fire, and were rejoicing greatly, there appeared to them the hosts of heaven praising and celebrating God Most High. And while the shepherds were doing the same, the cave was at that time made like a temple of the upper world, since both heavenly and earthly voices glorified and magnified God on account of the birth of the Lord Christ. And when that old Hebrew woman saw the manifestation of those miracles, she thanked God, saying I give Thee thanks, God, the God oi Israel, because mine eyes have seen the birth of the Saviour of the world.

Then came shepherds

:

5.

And

the time of circumcision, that

is,

the eighth day,

being at hand, the child was to be circumcised according to the Wherefore they circumcised Him in the cave. And the law. old Hebrew woman took the piece of skin but some say that
;

she took the navel-string, and laid
1

it

past in a jar of old

oil oi

Or, with the lights of

lamps and candles, more beautiful than lightning,

and more splendid than sunlight.

102
nard.
it to

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
And
she had a son, a dealer in unguents, and she gave
:

sell this jar of unguent hundred denarii ^ should be offered thee for it. And this is that jar which Mary the sinner bought and poured upon the head and feet of our Lord Jesus Christ, which thereafter she wiped with the hair of her head.^ Ten days after, they took Him to Jerusalem and on the fortieth day^ after His birth they carried Him into the temple, and set Him before the Lord, and offered sacrifices for Him, according to the commandment of the law of Moses, which is Every male that openeth the womb shall be called the holy of God.* 6. Then old Simeon saw Him shining like a pillar of light, when the Lady Mary, His virgin mother, rejoicing over Him,

him, saying

See that thou do not

of nard, even although three

;

:

was carrying
stood round
king.

Him in her arms. And Him in a circle, like life

angels, praising

Him,

guards standing by a
to the

Simeon therefore went up in haste
:

Lady Mary,

and, with hands stretched out before her, said to the Lord

Now, my Lord, let Thy servant depart in peace, Thy word for mine eyes have seen Thy compassion, which Thou hast prepared for the salvation of all peoples, Hanna a light to all nations, and glory to Thy people Israel. also, a prophetess, was present, and came up, giving thanks to God, and calling the Lady Mary blessed.^ 7. And it came to pass, when the Lord Jesus was born at Bethlehem of Judea, in the time of King Herod, behold, magi came from the east to Jerusalem, as Zeraduscht^ had predicted and there were with them gifts, gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. And they adored Him, and presented to Him their gifts. Then the Lady Mary took one of the swaddling-bands, and, on account of the smallness of her means, gave it to them
Christ

according to

;

and they received it from her with the greatest marks of honour. in the same hour there appeared to them an angel in the form of that star which had before guided them on their journey; and they went away, following the guidance of its light, until

And

they arrived in their
•

own

country.^
2 ^

John
Lev.

xii. 5.
xii. 4.

3

The denarius was worth about 7f d. * Ex. xiii. 2 Luke ii. 23.
;

L^ke Luke

vii. 37, 38.
ii.

25-38.

6
7

For this prediction of Zoroaster, see Smith's Diet, of the Bible,
Matt.
ii.

art.

Magi.

1-12.

ARABIC GOSPEL OF THE SAVIOUR'S INFANCY.
8.

103

And

their kings

and chief men came together

to them,

asking what they had seen or done, how they had gone and come back, what they had brought with them. And they

showed them that swathing-cloth which the Lady Mary had Wherefore they celebrated a feast, and, according to their custom, lighted a fire and worshipped it, and threw that swathing-cloth into it and the fire laid hold of it, and enveloped it. And when the fire had gone out, they took out the swathing-cloth exactly as it had been before, just as if the Wherefore they began to kiss it, and fire had not touched it. to put it on their heads and their eyes, saying This verily is
given them.
; :

the truth without doubt.
the

Assuredly

it is

a great thing that

Then they took it, fire was not able to burn or destroy it. and with the greatest honour laid it up among their treasures. 9. And when Herod saw that the magi had left him, and not come back to liim, he summoned the priests and the wise men, and said to them Show me where Christ is to be born. And when they answered, In Bethlehem of Judea, he began to think of putting the Lord Jesus Christ to death. Then appeared an angel of the Lord to Joseph in his sleep, and said Eise, take the boy and His mother, and go away into Egypt.-^ He rose, tlierefore, towards cock-crow, and set out. 10. While he is reflecting how he is to set about his journey, morning came upon him after he had gone a very little way. And now he was approaching a great city, in which there was an idol, to which the other idols and gods of the Egyptians offered gifts and vows. And there stood before this idol a priest ministering to him, who, as often as Satan spoke from that idol, reported it to the inhabitants of Egypt and its territories. This priest had a son, three years old, beset by several demons; and he made many speeches and utterances; and when the demons seized him, he tore his clothes, and remained naked, and threw stones at the people. And there was a hospital in that city dedicated to that idol. And when Joseph and the Lady Mary had come to the city, and had turned aside into that hospital, the citizens were very much afraid and all the chief men and the priests of the idols came together to that idol, and said to it What agitation and commotion is this that
: :

;

:

'

.Matt.

ii.

13, 14.

104
lias

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
arisen in our land
?

The
is

idol

come here
sides

in secret,

who

God indeed

answered them A God has nor is any god be;
:

Him worthy of divine worship, because He is truly the Son of God. And when this land became aware of His presence, it trembled at His arrival, and was moved and shaken and we are exceedingly afraid from the greatness of His power. And in the same hour that idol fell down, and at its fall all, inhabitants of Egypt and others, ran together. 11. And the son of the priest, his usual disease having come upon him, entered the hospital, and there came upon Joseph and the Lady Mary, from whom all others had fled. The Lady Mary had washed the cloths of the Lord Christ, and had spread them over some wood. That demoniac boy, therefore, came and took one of the cloths, and put it on his head. Then the demons, fleeing in the shape of ravens and serpents, began to go The boy, being immediately healed at forth out of his mouth. the command of the Lord Christ, began to praise God, and then to give thanks to the Lord who had healed him. And when his father saw him restored to health. My son, said he, what has happened to thee ? and by what means hast thou been healed ? The son answered When the demons had thrown me on the ground, I went into the hospital, and there I found an august woman with a boy, whose newly- washed cloths she had thrown upon some wood: one of these I took up and put upon my At this the father head, and the demons left me and fled. My son, it is possible that this boy rejoiced greatly, and said is the Son of the living God who created the heavens and the earth for when he came over to us, the idol was broken, and all the gods fell, and perished by the power of his magnificence. 12. Here was fulfilled the prophecy which says, Out of Egypt Joseph indeed, and Mary, when they have I called my son.^ heard that that idol had fallen down and perished, trembled, and were afraid. Then they said When w^e were in the land of Israel, Herod thought to put Jesus to death, and on that account slew all the children of Bethlehem and its confines and there is no doubt that the Egyptians, as soon as they have heard that this idol has been broken, wiU burn us with fire.^
: :

:

:

'

Hos.

xi. 1

;

Matt.

ii.

15.

2

Burning to death was the pxinishment of those convicted of

sacrilege

and

ARABIC GOSPEL OF THE SAVIOUR'S INFANCY.
1 3.

105

robbers

Going out thence, they came to a place where there were who had phmdered several men of their baggage and Then the robbers heard a great clothes, and had bound them.
king going out of his city
;

noise, like the noise of a magnificent

with his army, and his chariots and his drums and at this the And their robbers were terrified, and left all their plunder. captives rose up, loosed each other's bonds, recovered their bagAnd when they saw Joseph and Mary gage, and went away.

coming up

to the place, they said to

them

:

Where

is

that king,

sound of whose approach the robbers have left us, so that we have escaped safe ? Joseph answered them He will come behind us. 14. Thereafter they came into another city, where there was a demoniac woman whom Satan, accursed and rebellious, had beset, when on one occasion she had gone out by night for water. She could neither bear clothes, nor live in a house and as often as they tied her up with chains and thongs, she broke them, and fled naked into waste places and, standing in cross-roads and cemeteries, she kept throwing stones at people, and brought very heavy calamities upon her friends. And when the Lady Mary saw her, she pitied her and upon this Satan immediately left her, and fled away in the form of a young man, saying Woe to me from thee, Mary, and from thy son. So that woman was cured of her torment, and being restored to her senses, she blushed on account of her nakedness and shunning the sight of men, went home to her friends. And after she put on her clothes, she gave an account of the matter to her father and her friends and as they were the chief men of the city, they received the Lady Mary and Joseph with the greatest honour and hospitality. 15. On the day after, being supplied by them with provision for their journey, they went away, and on the evening ot that day arrived at another town, in which they were celebrating a marriage but, by the arts of accursed Satan and the work of enchanters, the bride had become dumb, and could not speak
at the hearing of the magnificent
:

and took Him into her arms, and held Him close and kissed Him, and leaned over Him, moving His body back and forwards. Immediately the knot of her tongue was loosened, and her ears were opened and she gave thanks and praise to God, because He had restored her to health. And that night the inhabitants of that town exulted with joy, and thought that God and His angels had come down to them. 16. There they remained three days, being held in great honour, and living splendidly. Thereafter, being supplied by them with provision for their journey, they went away and came to another city, in which, because it was very populous, they thought of passing the night. And there was in that city an excellent woman and once, when she had gone to the river to bathe, lo, accursed Satan, in the form of a serpent, had leapt upon her, and twisted himself round her belly and as often as night came on, he tyrannically tormented her. This woman, seeing the mistress the Lady Mary, and the child, the Lord Christ, in her bosom, was struck with a longing for Him, mistress, give me and said to the mistress the Lady Mary She therefore this child, that I may carry him, and kiss him. gave Him to the woman and when He was brought to her, Satan let her go, and fled and left her, nor did the woman ever see him after that day. Wherefore all who were present praised God Most High, and that woman bestowed on them liberal gifts. 17. On the day after, the same woman took scented water to wash the Lord Jesus and after she had washed Him, she took the water with which she had done it, and poured part of it upon a girl who was living there, whose body was white with leprosy, and washed her with it. And as soon as this was done, the girl was cleansed from her leprosy. And the townspeople said There is no doubt that Joseph and Mary and that boy are gods, not men. And when they were getting ready to go away from them, the girl who had laboured under the leprosy came up to them, and asked them to let her go
;
:

;

:

;

;

:

with them.
18.

When
And

they had given her permission, she went with
afterwards they came to a city, in which was the
illustrious prince,

them.

castle of a

most

who kept

a

house

lor the

ABA ETC GOSPEL OF THE SAVIOURS INFANCY.
;

107

entertainment of strangers. They turned into this place and the girl went away to the prince's wife; and she found her weeping and sorrowful, and she asked wdiy she was weeping.

Do

not be surprised, said she, at
great affliction,
one.

my

tears; for I

am

over-

whelmed by a
to tell to

which

as yet I
girl, if

any

Perhaps, said the

have not endured you reveal it and

for it. Hide this secret, and tell it to no one. I was married to this prince, who is a king and ruler over many cities, and I And when at lived long with him, but by me he had no son. length I produced him a son, he was leprous and as soon as he saw him, he turned away with loathing, and said to me

disclose it to me, I

may have

a

remedy

then, replied the princess,

;

Either kill him, or give

in some place from which
see thee more.

him we

to the nurse to be brought
shall never hear of

up him more.

After this I can have nothing to do with thee, and I will never

On this account I know not what to do, and I am overwhelmed with grief. Alas my son. Alas my hus!

!

band.

Did

I not say so

?

said the girl.
tell it thee.

I have found a cure

for thy disease, and I shall but I was cleansed by God,

For I too was a leper

who

is

Jesus, the son of the

Lady

Mary. And the woman asking her where this God was whom she had spoken of. Here, with thee, said the girl; He is But how is this possible ? said she. living in the same house. Where is he ? There, said the girl, are Joseph and Mary and the child who is with them is called Jesus and He it is who cured me of my disease and my torment. But by what means, said she, wast thou cured of thy leprosy ? Wilt thou not tell me that ? Why not ? said the girl. I got from His mother the water in which He had been washed, and poured and so I was cleansed from my leprosy. Then it over myself the princess rose up, and invited them to avail themselves of her hospitality. And she prepared a splendid banquet for
;
;

And Joseph in a great assembly of the men of the place. on the following day she took scented water with which to wash the Lord Jesus, and thereafter poured the same water over her son, whom she had taken with her and immediately Therefore, singing her son was cleansed from his leprosy. thanks and praises to God, she said: Blessed is the mother
;

who

bore thee,

Jesus

;

dost thou so cleanse those

who

share

108

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.

the same nature with thee with the water in which thy body
mistress the
Besides, she bestowed great gifts upon the ? Lady Mary, and sent her away with great honour. 19, Coming thereafter to another city, they wished to spend the night in it. They turned aside, therefore, to the house of a man newly married, but who, under the influence of witchcraft, was not able to enjoy his wife; and when they had spent that night wdth him, his bond was loosed. And at day-

has been washed

break,

when they were

girding themselves for their journey,

the bridegroom would not let a great banquet.

them

go,

and prepared

for

them

20. They set out, therefore, on the following day; and as they came near another city, they saw three women weeping And wdien the Lady Mary as they came out of a cemetery. beheld them, she said to the girl who accompanied her Ask
:

them what

is

the matter with them, or what calamity has

And to the girl's questions they made no reply, but asked in their turn: Whence are you, and whither are you going ? for the day is already past, and night is coming
befallen them.

on apace. We are travellers, said the girl, and are seeking a house of entertainment in which we may pass the night. They said Go with us, and spend the night with us. They followed them, therefore, and were brought into a new house with splendid decorations and furniture. Now it was winter and the girl, going into the chamber of these women, found them again w^eeping and lamenting. There stood beside them a mule, covered with housings of cloth of gold, and sesame was put before him and the women were kissing him, and giving
:

;

him

food.

And

the girl said

:

What

is

all

the ado,

my

ladies,
:

about this mule ? They answered her with tears, and said This mule, which thou seest, was our brother, born of the same mother with ourselves. And when our father died, and left

him

us great wealth, and this only brother, we did our best to get married, and were preparing his nuptials for him, after the

manner of men. But some women, moved by mutual jealousy, bewitched him unknown to us and one night, a little before daybreak, when the door of our house was shut, we saw that this our brother had been turned into a mule, as thou now beAnd we are sorrowful, as thou seest, having no holdest him.
;

AEABTC GOSPEL OF THE SAVIOURS INFANCY.
father to comfort us
:

109

there

is

no wise man, or magician, or
;

enchanter in the world that we have omitted to send for but nothing has done us any good. And as often as our hearts
are overwhelmed with mother here, and weep
again.
21.
grief,

we

rise

at our father's grave,

and go away with our and come back

And when
;

the girl heard these things, Be of good

courage, said she, and
is

weep not

:

for the cure of

your calamity

near

yea,

it is

beside you, and in the middle of your
;

own

For I also was a leper but when I saw that woman, and along with her that young child, whose name is Jesus, I sprinkled my body with the water with which His mother had washed Him, and I was cured. And I know that He can But rise, go to Mary my mistress cure your affliction also. bring her into your house, and tell her your secret and enAfter the treat and supplicate her to have pity upon you. women had heard the girl's words, they went in haste to the Lady Mary, and brought her into their chamber, and sat down our mistress, Lady Mary, before her weej)ing, and saying: have pity on thy handmaidens for no one older than ourneither father nor selves, and no liead of the family, is left brother to live with us but this mule which thou seest was our brother, and women have made him such as thou seest by witchcraft. We beseech thee, therefore, to have pity upon us. Then, grieving at their lot, the Lady Mary took up the Lord Jesus, and put Him on the mule's back and she wept as well Alas my son, heal as the women, and said to Jesus Christ this mule by Thy mighty power, and make him a man endowed with reason as he was before. And when these words were uttered by the Lady Mary, his form was changed, and the mule became a young man, free from every defect. Then he and his mother and his sisters adored the Lady Mary, and lifted the boy above their heads, and began to kiss Him, saying:
house.
;
;

—

—

;

;

:

!

Blessed is she that bore Thee, Jesus, world; blessed are the eyes which enjoy the
Thee.
22.

Saviour of the
felicity of seeing

Moreover, both the

sisters

said to their mother:

Our

brother indeed,

by the

aid of the Lord Jesus Christ,
girl,

and by

the salutary intervention of this

who

pointed out to us

1 1

THE A PO CR YPHA L G OSPELS.
son, has

Mary and her

indeed, since our brother

been raised to human form. Now, is unmarried, it would do very well

for us to give him as his wife this girl, their servant. And having asked the Lady Mary, and obtained her consent, they made a splendid wedding for the girl and their sorrow being changed into joy, and the beating of their breasts into dancing,
;

they began to be glad, to

rejoice, to exult,

on account of their great
attire.

joy, in
to

Then they begin

and sing adorned, most splendid and gorgeous recite songs and praises, and to
turnest sorrow into gladness,

—

say

:

Jesus, son of David,
!

who

and lamentations into joy
there ten days.
lionours

And

Joseph and Mary remained
farewell,

Thereafter they set out, treated with great
people,

by these

who bade them

and from
girl.

bidding them farewell returned weeping, especially the
23.

And

turning away from this place, they came to a desert
it

was infested by robbers, Joseph and the by night. But as they go along, behold, they see two robbers lying in the way, and along with them a great number of robbers, who were their Now those two robbers, into whose hands associates, sleeping. Titus therefore they had fallen, were Titus and Dumachus. said to Dumachus: I beseech thee to let these persons go freely, and so that our comrades may not see them. And as Dumachus refused, Titus said to him again Take to thyself forty drachmas from me, and hold this as a pledge. At the same time he held out to him the belt which he had had about his And waist, to keep him from opening his mouth or speaking. the Lady Mary, seeing that the robber had done them a kindThe Lord God will sustain thee by His right ness, said to him hand, and will grant thee remission of thy sins. And the Lord Jesus answered, and said to His mother Thirty years hence, my mother, the Jews will crucify me at Jerusalem, and these two robbers will be raised upon the cross along with me, Titus on my right hand and Dumachus on my left and after that day Titus shall go before me into Paradise. And she said: God keep this from thee, my son. And they went thence towards a city of idols, which, as they came near it, was changed
and hearing that

Lady Mary resolved

to cross this region

:

:

:

;

into sand-hills.
24.

Hence they turned

aside to that sycamore

which

is

now

ARABIC GOSPEL OF THE SAVIOUR'S INFANCY.
called

Ill

Matarea/ and the Lord Jesus brought forth in Matarea a Lady Mary washed His shirt. And from the sweat of the Lord Jesus which she sprinkled there, balsam was produced in that region. 25. Thence they came down to Memphis, and saw Pharaoh, and remained three years in Egypt and the Lord Jesus did in
fountain in which the
;

Egypt very many miracles which are recorded neither in the
Gospel of the Infancy nor in the perfect Gospel. 26. And at the end of the three years He came back out of

And when they had arrived at Judea, Joseph was afraid to enter it but hearing that Herod was dead, and that Archelaus his son had succeeded him, he was afraid indeed, but he went into Judea. And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, and said Joseph, go into the city of Nazareth, and there abide. Wonderful indeed, that the Lord of the world should be thus borne and carried about through the world 27. Thereafter, going into the city of Bethlehem, they saw there many and grievous diseases infesting the eyes of the children, who were dying in consequence. And a woman was there with a sick son, whom, now very near death, she brought to the Lady Mary, who saw him as she was washing Jesus Christ. Then said the woman to her my Lady Mary, look upon this son of mine, who is labouring under a grievous disease. And the Lady Mary listened to her, and said Take a little of that water in which I have washed my son, and sprinkle him with it. She therefore took a little of the water, as the Lady Mary had told her, and sprinkled it over her son. And when this was done his illness abated and after sleeping a little, he rose up from sleep safe and sound. His mother rejoicing at this, again took him to the Lady Mary. And she said to her Give thanks to God, because He hath healed this thy son.
Egypt, and returned.
;
:
!

:

:

;

:

Matarea, or Matariyeli, the

site of

Heliopolis or On,

is

a

little

way

to the

N.E. of Cairo.

Ismail Pasha

is

said to have presented,

on his

visit to

the Paris

Exhibition of 1867, the tree and the ground surrounding it to the Empress of the French. For some interesting particulars about the tree, see a paragraph, by B. H. C. {i.e. Mr. B. Harris Cowper, who has translated the Apocryphal
Gospels), in the Leisure

Hour

for

2d November 1867.

112
28.

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.

There was in the same place another woman, a neighbour whose son had lately been restored to health. And as her son was labouring under the same disease, and his eyes were now almost blinded, she wept night and day. And the
of her

mother of the child that had been cured said to her Why dost thou not take thy son to the Lady Mary, as I did with mine when he was nearly dead ? And he got well with that water with which the body of her son Jesus had been washed. And when the woman heard this from her, she too went and got some of the same water, and washed her son with it, and his body and his eyes were instantly made well. Her also, when she had brought her son to her, and disclosed to her all that had
:

happened, the Lady

Mary

ordered to give thanks to

God

for her

and to tell nobody of this matter. 29. There were in the same city two women, wives of one man, each having a son ill with fever. The one was called Mary, and her son's name was Cleopas. She rose and took up her son, and went to the Lady Mary, the mother of Jesus, my Lady Mary, and offering her a beautiful mantle, said accept this mantle, and for it give me one small bandage. Mary did so, and the mother of Cleopas went away, and made So he was cured of his a shirt of it, and put it on her son. Hence there sprung disease; but the son of her rival died. up hatred between them and as they did the house-work week about, and as it was the turn of Mary the mother of Cleopas, she heated the oven to bake bread and going away to bring the lump that she had kneaded, she left her son Cleopas beside the oven. Her rival seeing him alone and the oven was very hot with the fire blazing under it— seized him and threw him into the oven, and took herself off. Mary coming back, and seeing her son Cleopas lying in the oven laughing, and the oven quite cold, as if no fire had ever come near it, knew that her rival had thrown him into the fire. She drew him out, therefore, and took him to the Lady Llary, and told her of what had happened to him. And she said: Keep silence, and tell nobody of the affair for I am afraid for you if you After this her rival went to the well to draw divulge it. water and seeing Cleopas playing beside the well, and nobody near, she seized him and threw him into the well, and went
son's restoration to health,,
^
:

;

;

—

;

;

ARABIC GOSPEL OF THE SAVIOUR'S INFANCY.
home
herself.

113

And some men who had gone
ot the

to the well for

water saw the boy sitting on the surface
they went down and drew him out.

water

;

and so

And

they were seized

with a great admiration of that boy, and praised God. Then came his mother, and took him up, and went weeping to the my lady, see what my rival has done Lady Mary, and said
:

to

and how she has thrown him into the well she The Lady Mary will be sure to destroy him some day or other. Thereafter, when said to her God will avenge thee upon her. her rival went to the well to draw Avater, her feet got entangled in the rope, and she fell into the well. Some men came to draw her out, but they found her skull fractured and her bones broken. Thus she died a miserable death, and in her came to pass that saying: They have digged a well deep, but have fallen into the pit which they had prepared.^ 30. Another woman there had twin sons who had fallen into disease, and one of them died, and the other was at his last breath. And his mother, weeping, lifted him up, and took him my lady, aid me and succour to the Lady Mary, and said me. For I had two sons, and I have just buried the one, and
son,
;
:

my

:

the other

is

at the point of death.

See
full

how

I
:

am

going to

entreat and pray to God.
art compassionate,

And

she began to say

Lord,

and merciful, and

of affection.

Thou Thou

hast taken away the one Wherefore the Lady Mary, seeing the fervour of her weeping, had compassion on her, and said Put thy son in my son's bed, and cover him with his clothes. And when she had put him in the bed in which Christ was lying, he had already closed his eyes in death but as soon as the smell of the clothes of the Lord Jesus Christ reached the boy, he opened his eyes, and, calling upon his mother with a loud voice, he asked for bread, and took it and sucked it. Then his mother said Lady Mary, now I know that the power of God dwelleth in thee, so that thy son heals those that partake of the same nature with himself, as soon as they have touched his clothes. This boy that was healed is he who in the Gospel is called Bartholomew. 3L Moreover, there was there a leprous woman, and she

gavest
this

me two

sons, of

whom Thou

one at least leave to me.

:

:

1

Ps. vii. 15, Ivii. 6.

H

114

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
to the

went

Lady

^lary, the

mother of Jesus, and said
:

:

Mj
can

lady, help me.

And

the

Lady Mary answered
silver
?

"Wliat help dost

thou seek ? Is it gold or clean from the leprosy ?
grant

or is

it

that thy body be

made

And

that

woman

asked
:

:

Who

Wait a little, until I shall have washed my son Jesus, and put him to bed. The woman waited, as Mary had told her and when she had put Je^us to bed, she held out to the woman the water in which

me

this

?

And

the

Lady Mary

said to her

;

she had washed His body, and said

Take a little of this water, and pour it over thy body. And as soon as she had done so, she was cleansed, and gave praise and thanks to God. 32. Therefore, after staying with her three days, she went away and coming to a city, saw there one of the chief men, who had married the daughter of another of the chief men. But when he saw the woman, he beheld between her eyes the mark of leprosy in the shape of a star; and so the marriage was dissolved, and became null and void. And when that woman saw them in this condition, weeping and overwhelmed with sorrow, she asked the cause of their grief. But they said Inquire not into our condition, for to no one living can we teU our grief, and to none but ourselves can we disclose it. She urged them, however, and entreated them to entrust it to her, saying that she would perhaps be able to tell them of a remedy. And when they showed her the girl, and the sign of leprosy which appeared between her eyes, as soon as she saw I also, whom you see here, laboured under it, the woman said the same disease, when, upon some business which happened There going into to come in my way, I went to Bethlehem. a cave, I saw a woman named Mary, whose son was he who was named Jesus; and when she saw that I was a leper, she took pity on me, and handed me the water with which she
:

;

:

With it I sprinkled my body, had washed her son's body. and came out clean. Then the woman said to her Wilt thou lady, rise and go with us, and show us the Lady ]\Iary ? not, And she assented and they rose and went to the Lady Mary, carrying with them splendid gifts. And when they had gone in, and presented to her the gifts, they showed her the leprous The Lady ]\Iary therefore said girl whom they had brought. May the compassion of the Lord Jesus Christ descend upon
:

;

ARABIC GOSPEL OF THE SAVIOURS INFANCY.
you
;

115

and handing

to

them

also a little of the water in

which

she had washed the hody of Jesus Christ, she ordered the

wretched

woman

to

be bathed in

it.
;

And when

this
all

had been
standing

done, she was immediately cured
by, praised God.
city, praising

and they, and
done.

Joyfully therefore they returned to their

own
the

the Lord for what

He had

And when

chief heard that his wife

had been cured, he took her home, and made a second marriage, and gave thanks to God for the
33.

recovery of his wife's health.

There was there also a young

woman

afflicted

by Satan;

for that

accursed wretch repeatedly appeared to her in the

form of a huge dragon, and prepared to swallow her. He also sucked out all her blood, so that she was left like a corpse. As often as he came near her, she, with her hands clasped over her head, cried out, and said Woe, woe's me, for nobody is near to free me from that accursed dragon. And her father and mother, and all who were about her or saw her, bewailed her lot and men stood round her in a crowd, and all wept and lamented, especially wh,en she wept, and said Oh, my
:

;

'

:

brethren and friends,

is

there no one to free

me

from that

murderer

?

And

the daughter of the chief

who had been

roof of her castle, and

girl's voice, went up to the saw her with her hands clasped over her head weeping, and all the crowds standing round her weeping She therefore asked the demoniac's husband whether as well. his wife's mother were alive. And when he answered that both her parents were living, she said Send for her mother to come to me. And when she saw that he had sent for her, and she had come, she said Is that distracted girl thy daughter ? lady, said that sorrowful and weeping woman, she Yes, is my daughter. The chief's daughter answered Keep my secret, for I confess to thee that I was formerly a leper but now the Lady Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, has healed me. But if thou wishest thy daughter to be healed, take her to Bethlehem, and seek Mary the mother of Jesus, and believe

healed of her leprosy, hearing the

:

:

:

;

that thy daugliter will be healed
wilt

I indeed believe that thou with thy daughter healed. As soon as the woman heard the words of the chief's daughter, she led away her daughter in haste and going to the place indicated,
;

come back with

joy,

;

116

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS,

she went to the Lady Mary, and revealed to her the state of her daughter. And the Lady Mary hearing her words, gave her a little of the water in which she had washed the body
of her son Jesus,

her daughter.
thine

and ordered her to pour it on the body of She gave her also from the clothes of the Lord Jesus a swathing-cloth, saying: Take this cloth, and show it to

enemy as often as thou shalt see him. And she saluted them, and sent them away. 34. Wlien, therefore, they had gone away from her, and returned to their own district, and the time was at hand at
which Satan was wont
and the
thee,
girl
:

to attack her, at this very time that

accursed one appeared to her in the shape of a huge dragon,

was

afraid at the sight of him.
not,

And

her mother
coriie

said to her

Fear

my

daughter

INIary hath and then show him the cloth given us, and let us see what will happen. Satan, therefore, having come near in the likeness of a terrible dragon, the body of the girl shuddered for fear of him; but as soon as she took out the cloth, and placed it on her head, and covered her eyes with it, flames and live coals began to dart forth from it, and the great miracle which was to be cast upon the dragon. done as soon as the dragon saw the cloth of the Lord Jesus, from which the fire darted, and was cast upon his head and He cried out with a loud voice AVhat have I to do eyes Whither shall I fly from with thee, Jesus, son of Mary ? thee ? And with great fear he turned his back and departed from the girl, and never afterwards appeared to her. And the girl now had rest from him, and gave praise and thanks to God, and along with her all who were present at that miracle. 35. Another woman was living in the same place, whose son was tormented by Satan. He, Judas by name, as often as Satan seized him, used to bite all who came near him and if he found no one near him, he used to bite his own hands and other limbs. The mother of this wretched creature, then, hearing the fame of the Lady Mary and her son Jesus, rose up and brought her son Judas with her to the Lady Mary. In the meantime, James and Joses had taken the child the Lord Jesus with them to play with the other children and they had gone out of the house and sat down, and the Lord Jesus with them.
!

him to which the Lady
;

allow

near

:

;

;

ARABIC GOSPEL OF THE SAVIOUR'S INFANCY.
And
hand
the demoniac Judas
:

117

then, being attacked

came np, and sat down at Jesus' right by Satan in the same manner as

usual, he wished to bite the Lord Jesus, but was not able; nevertheless he struck Jesus on the right side, whereupon He

And immediately Satan went forth out of that mad dog. And this boy who struck Jesus, and out of whom Satan went forth in the shape of a dog, was Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Him to the Jews and that^'same
began
to weep.

boy, fleeing like a

;

side

on which Judas struck Him, the Jews transfixed with a
^

lance.
36.

Now, when the Lord Jesus had completed seven years from His birth, on a certain day He was occupied with boys of His own age. For they were playing among clay, from which they were making images of asses, oxen, birds, and other animals and each one boasting of his skill, was praising his
;

own

Then the Lord Jesus said to the boys The images that I have made I will order to walk. The boys asked Him whether then he were the son of the Creator and the Lord Jesus bade them walk. And they immediately began to leap and then,
work.
:

;

;

when He had given them leave, they again stood still. And He had made figures of birds and sparrows, which flew when He told them to fly, and stood still when He told them to stand, and ate and drank when He handed them food and drink. After the boys had gone away and told this to their parents, their fathers said to them My sons, take care not to keep company with him again, for he is a wizard flee from him, therefore,
: :

and avoid him, and do not play with him again after this. 37. On a certain day the Lord Jesus, running about and playing with the boys, passed the shop of a dyer, whose name was Salem and he had in his shop many pieces of cloth which he was to dye. The Lord Jesus then, going into his shop, took up all the pieces of cloth, and threw them into a tub full of indigo. And when Salem came and saw his cloths destroyed, he began to cry out with a loud voice, and to reproach Jesus,' saying: Why hast thou done this to me, son of Mary?
;

Thou

hast disgraced

that every one wished

mdeed

before all my townsmen for, seeing the colour that suited himself, thoi! hast come and destroyed them aU. The Lord Jesus
:

me

'

John

xix. 34.

118

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
:

answered
cloth

I shall change for thee the colour of any piece of which thou shalt wish to be changed. And immediately He began to take the pieces of cloth out of the tub, each of them of that colour which the dyer wished, until He had taken them all out. Wlien the Jews saw this miracle and

prodigy, they praised God.
38. And Joseph used to go about through the whole city, and take the Lord Jesus with him, when people sent for him in the way of his trade to make for them doors, and milkpails, and beds, and chests and the Lord Jesus was with him wherever he went. As often, therefore, as Joseph had to make
;

anything a cubit or a span longer or shorter, wider or narrower,
it and as soon as Joseph wished. Nor was it necessary for him to make anything with his own hand, for Joseph was not very skilful in carpentry. 39. Now, on a certain day, the king of Jerusalem sent for him, and said I wish thee, Joseph, to make for me a throne to fit that place in which I usually sit. Joseph obeyed, and began the work inmiediately, and remained in the palace two years, until he finished the work of that throne. And when he had it carried to its place, he perceived that each side wanted
;

the Lord Jesus stretched His hand towards

He did

so, it

became such

as

:

two spans of the prescribed measure. And the king, seeing this, was angry with Joseph and Joseph, being in great fear
;

of the king, spent the night without supper, nor did he taste

anything at all. Then, being asked- by the Lord Jesus why he was afraid, Joseph said Because I have spoiled all the work that I have been two years at. And the Lord Jesus said Fear not, and do not lose heart but do thou take to him hold of one side of the throne I shall take the other and we shall put that to rights. And Joseph, having done as the Lord Jesus had said, and each having drawn by his own side, the throne was put to rights, and brought to the exact measure of the place. And those that stood by and saw this miracle were struck with astonishment, and praised God. And the woods used in that throne were of those which are celebrated in the time of Solomon the son of David that is, woods of many and
: :

;

;

;

;

various kinds.
40.

On

another day the Lord Jesus went out into the road,

ARABIC G OSPEL OF THE SA VIO VES INFA NCY.

119

and saw the boys that had come together to play, and followed them but the boys hid themselves from Him. The Lord Jesus, therefore, having come to the door of a certain house, and seen some women standing there, asked them where the boys had gone and when they answered that there was no one there, He said again Who are these whom you see in the furnace ? ^ They replied that they were kids of three years old. And the
;
;
:

kids, to Lord Jesus cried out, and said Come out hither, your Shepherd. Then the boys, in the form of kids, came out, and began to dance round Him and the women, seeing this, were very much astonished, and were seized with trembling, and speedily supplicated and adored the Lord Jesus, saying: our Lord Jesus, son of Mary, Thou art of a truth that good Shepherd of Israel have mercy on Thy handmaidens who
:

;

;

stand before Thee, and
hast come,

who have never doubted:

for

Thou

our Lord, to heal, and not to destroy.

And when
Lord,

the Lord Jesus answered that the sons of Israel were like the

Ethiopians among the nations, the

women

said

:

Thou,
;

knowest

anything hid from Thee now, indeed, we beseech Thee, and ask Thee of Thy affection to restore these boys Thy servants to their former condition. The
all things,

nor

is

Lord Jesus therefore said

:

And
41.

immediately, while these

Come, boys, let us go and play. women were standing by, the
Jesus, after the

kids were changed into boys.

Now

in the

month Adar,

king, assembled the boys together.

ou the ground, and He sat on His head a crown made of flowers, and, like chamber-servants, stood in His presence, on the right and on the left, as if He were a king. And whoever passed by that way was forcibly dragged by the boys, saying Come hither, and adore the king
:

manner of a They spread their clothes down upon them. Then they put

then go thy way. 42. In the meantime, while these things were going on, some men came up carrying a boy. For this boy had gone into the mountain with those of his own age to seek wood, and there he found a partridge's nest; and when he stretched out his hand to take the eggs from it, a venomous serpent bit him from the

middle of the
1

nest, so that

he called out
is fornice,

for help.

His com-

Perliaps the correct reading

archway, and not fornace.

120

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
like one dead.

rades accordingly went to

on the ground

took him up to carry had come to that place where the Lord Jesus was sitting like a king, and the rest of the boys standing round Him like His servants, the boys went hastily forward to meet him who had been bitten by the serpent, and said to his relations Come and salute the king. But when they were unwilling to go, on account of the sorrow in which they were, the boys dragged them by force against their will. And when they had come up to the Lord Jesus, He asked them why they were carrying the boy. And when they answered that a serpent had bitten him, the Lord Jesus said to the boys Let us go and kill that serpent. And the parents of the boy asked leave to go away, because their son was in the agony of death but the boys answered them, saying Did you not hear the king saying Let us go and kill the serpent ? and will you not obey him ? And so, against their will, the couch was carried back. And when they came to the nest, the Lord Jesus said to the boys Is this the serpent's place ? They said that it was and the serpent, at the call of the Lord, came forth without delay, and submitted itself to Him. And He said to it: Go away, and suck out all the poison which thou hast infused into this boy. And so' the serpent crawled to the boy, and sucked out all its Then the Lord Jesus cursed it, and immediately on poison. this being done it burst asunder and the Lord Jesus stroked the boy with his hand, and he was healed. And he began to weep but Jesus said Do not weep, for by and by thou shalt And this is Simon the Canauite, of whom be my disciple. mention is made in the Gospel.^ 43. On another day, Joseph sent his son James to gather wood, and the Lord Jesus went with him as his companion. And when they had come to the place where the wood was, and James had begun to gather it, behold, a venomous viper The Lord bit his hand, so that he began to cry out and weep. Jesus then, seeing him in this condition, went up to him, and blew upon the place where the viper had bitten him and this being done, he was healed immediately.
:

him with haste, and found him lying Then his relations came and him back to the city. And after they

:

;

:

;

;

;

:

;

1

Matt.

X. 4, etc.

ARABIC GOSPEL OF THE SAVIOUR'S INFANCY.
44.

121

One

day,

when

the Lord Jesus was again with the boys

playing on the roof of a house, one of the boys fell down from And the rest of the boys fled above, and immediately expired.

and the Lord Jesus was left alone on the roof. came up and said to the Lord Jesus It was thou who didst throw our son headlong from the roof. And when He denied it, they cried out, saying Our son is dead, and here is he who has killed him. And the Lord Jesus said to them Do not bring an evil report against me but if you do not believe me, come and let us ask the boy himself, that he may bring the truth to light. Then the Lord Jesus went down,
in all directions,

And

the relations of the boy

:

:

;

and standing over the dead body, said, with a loud voice Zeno, Zeno, who threw thee down from the roof ? Then the dead boy answered and said My lord, it was not thou who didst throw me down, but such a one cast me down from it. And when the Lord commanded those who were standing by to attend to His words, all who were present praised God for this miracle. 45. Once upon a time the Lady Mary had ordered the Lord Jesus to go and bring her water from the well. And when He had gone to get the water, the pitcher already full was knocked And the Lord Jesus stretched against something, and broken. out His handkerchief, and collected the water, and carried it to His mother and she was astonished at it. And she hid and
: :

;

preserved in her heart
46.

all

that she saw.

Again, on another day, the Lord Jesus was with the

boys at a stream of water, and they had again made little fish-ponds. And the Lord Jesus had made twelve sparrows, and had arranged them round His fish-pond, three on each And it was the Sabbath-day. Wherefore a Jew, the son side.
of

anger and great indignation

Hanan, coming up, and seeing them thus engaged, said in Do you make figures of clay on the Sabbath-day? And he ran quickly, and destroyed their fish-ponds. But when the Lord Jesus clapped His hands over the sparrows which He had made, they flew away chirping. Then the son of Hanan came up to the fish-pond of Jesus also, and kicked it with his shoes, and the water of it vanished away. And the Lord Jesus said to him: As that water has
:

vanished away, so thy

life shall

likewise vanish away.

And

immediately that boy dried up.

122
47.

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
At another time, when
the Lord Jesus

was returning home

with Joseph in the evening, He met a boy, who ran up against Him with so much force that He fell. And the Lord Jesus said to him As thou hast thrown me down, so thou shalt fall, and not rise again. And the same hour the boy fell down, and expired. 48. There was, moreover, at Jerusalem a certain man named
:

Zachasus,

who taught
so,

boys.

Joseph and reported the matter to the Lady Mary. They therefore took Him to the master and he, as soon as he saw Him, wrote out the alphabet for Him, and told Him to say Aleph. And when He had said Aleph, the master ordered Him And the Lord Jesus said to him Tell me to pronounce Beth. first the meaning of the letter Aleph, and then I shall pronounce And when the master threatened to flog Him, the Lord Beth. Jesus explained to him the meanings of the letters Aleph and Beth; also which figures of the letters were straight, which crooked, which drawn round into a spiral, which marked with points, which without them, why one letter went before another; and many other things He began to recount and to elucidate which the master himself had never either heard or read in any The Lord Jesus, moreover, said to the master Listen, book. And He began clearly and and I shall say them to thee. distinctly to repeat Aleph, Beth, Gimel, Daleth, on to Tau. And the master was astonished, and said I think that this boy was born before Noah. And turning to Joseph, he said Thou hast brought to me to be taught a boy more learned than all To the Lady Mary also he said: This son of the masters. thine has no need of instruction. 49. Thereafter they took Him to another and a more learned And when master, who, when he saw Him, said Say Aleph. He had said Aleph, the master ordered him to pronounce Beth. And the Lord Jesus answered him, and said First tell me the meaning of the letter Aleph, and then I shall pronounce Beth. And when the master hereupon raised his hand and flogged Him, immediately his hand dried up, and he died. Then said
dost thou not bring Jesus to
learn his letters
?

He said me to

to

Joseph Why,
:

Joseph,

agreed to do

;

:

:

:

:

:

:

Joseph to the Lady Mary From this time we shall not let him go out of the house, since every one who opposes him is struck
:

dead.

ARABIC GOSPEL OF THE SAVIOURS INFANCY.
50.

123
to

Jerusalem to the
indeed returned

And when He was twelve years old, they And when the feast was feast.
;

took

Him

they but the Lord Jesus remained in tho temple
finished,

among

the teachers and elders and learned

men

of the sons of

put various questions upon the sciences, and gave answers in His turn.^ For He said to them Whose son is the Messias ? They answered Him The sou of David. AVherefore then, said He, does he in the Spirit call him his lord, when he says, The Lord said to my lord. Sit at my right hand,
Israel, to
: :

whom He

that I

V Again the Hast thou read the books ? Both the books, said the Lord Jesus, and the things contained And He explained the books, and the law, and in the books. the precepts, and the statutes, and the mysteries, which are contained in the books of the prophets things which the understanding of no creature attains to. That teacher therefore said I hitherto have neither attained to nor heard of such knowledge Who, pray, do you think that boy will be ? 5L And a philosopher who was there present, a skilful astronomer, asked the Lord Jesus whether He had studied astronomy. And the Lord Jesus answered him, and explained the number of the spheres, and of the heavenly bodies, their natures and operations their opposition their aspect, triantheir course, direct and retrograde gular, square, and sextile the twenty-fourths,^ and sixtieths of twenty-fourths and other things beyond the reach of reason. 52. There was also among those philosophers one very skilled in treating of natural science, and he asked the Lord Jesus whether He had studied medicine. And He, in reply, explained to him physics and metaphysics, hyperphysics and hypophysics, the powers likewise and humours of the body, and the ejffects of the same also the number of members and bones, of veins, arteries, and nerves also the effect of heat and dryness, of cold and moisture, and what these give rise to what was the operation of the soul upon the body, and its perceptions and
may put
thine enemies under thy footsteps
cliief of

the teachers said to

Him

:

—

:

:

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

;

1

for the

It is likely here put motion of a planet during one hour. Pliny, N. H. ii. 10, uses the word to signify an undefined number of degrees, or parts of a degree.

3

Luke ii. 42-47. The scripulum was the twenty-fourth

*

Ps. ex. 1

;

Matt. xxii. 42-45.

part of the as.

124

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.

anger, of desire

powers; what was the operation of the faculty of speech, of lastly, their conjunction and disjunction, and
;

other things beyond the reach of any created intellect.
Lord, from this time I will be thy disciple and slave.

Then

that philosopher rose up, and adored the Lord Jesus, and said

While they were speaking to each otlier of these and Lady Mary came, after having gone about seekShe therefore, ing Him for three days along with Joseph. seeing Him sitting among the teachers asking them questions, and answering in His turn, said to Him My son, why hast thou treated us thus ? Behold, thy father and I have sought But He said Why do you seek me ? thee with great trouble. Do you not know that I ought to occupy myself in my Father's house ? But they did not understand the words that He spoke Tlien those teachers asked Mary whether He were to them. her son; and when she signified that He was, they said Blessed Mary, who hast brought forth such a son. And art thou, returning with them to Nazareth, He obeyed them in all things. And His mother kept all these words of His in her heart. And the Lord Jesus advanced in stature, and in wisdom, and in favour with God and man.^ 54. And from this day He began to hide His miracles and mysteries and secrets, and to give attention to the law, until He completed His thirtieth year, when His Father publicly declared Him at the Jordan by this voice sent down from
53.

other things, the

:

:

:

heaven

:

This

is

my

beloved Son, in

whom

I

am

well pleased

the Holy Spirit being present in the form of a white dove.^
55. This is

He whom we
life,
;

adore with supplications,

who hath

given us being and

and who hath brought us from our mothers' wombs who for our sakes assumed a human body, and redeemed us, that He might embrace us in eternal compassion, and show to us His mercy according to His liberality, and beneTo Him is glory, fxence, and generosity, and benevolence. and beneficence, and power, and dominion from this time forth
for evermore.

Amen.

Here endeth the whole Gospel of the Infancy, with the aid of God Most High, according to what we have found in the original.
»

Luke

ii.

46-52.

2 ^latt. iU.

13-17

:

Luke

iii.

21-23.

THE GOSPEL OF NICODEMUS.
PAET I.— THE ACTS OF PILATE.
FIRST

GREEK FORM.

MEMORIALS OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, DONE IN THE TIME OF PONTIUS PILATE.
Pkologue.

from the Holy Scriptures, coming to Him by faith, and counted worthy of the holy baptism, searching also the memorials written at that time of wliat was done in the case of our Lord Jesus Christ, which the Jews had laid up in the time of Pontius Pilate, found these memorials written in Hebrew, and by the favour of God have translatQii them into

Greek for the information of all who call upon the name of our Master Jesus Christ, in the seventeenth year of the reign of our lord Flavins Theodosius, and the sixth of Flavins Valentinianus, in the ninth indiction.

All ye, therefore,

who

read and transfer into other books,
for

remember me, and pray

me, that God may be merciful to me, and .pardon my sins which I have sinned against Him. Peace be to those who read, and to those who hear and to
their households.

Amen.

In the fifteenth year^ of the government of Tiberius Caesar, emperor of the Romans, and Herod being king of Galilee, in
'*

The

15tli year of Tiberius,

29, A.U.C.

reckoning from the death of Augustus, was a.d. 782, the Jirst year of the 202d Olympiad, in the consulship of C.
125

126

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.

the nineteenth year of his rule, on the eighth day before the Kalends of April, which is the twenty-fifth of March, in the

consulship of Eufus and Eubellio, in the fourth year of the two hundred and second Olympiad, Joseph Caiaphas being high
priest of the Jews.

The account that Nicodemus wrote
cross

in Hebrew, after the and passion of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Saviour God,

and

left to

those that came after him,

is

as follows

:

Chap. 1. Having called a council, the high priests and scribes Annas and Caiaphas and Semes and Dathaes, and Gamaliel,
rest of the Jews,

—

Judas, Levi and Nephthalim, Alexander and Jairus,' and the came to Pilate accusing Jesus about many
carpenter, born of
;

things, saying

to be the son of Joseph the and he says that he is the Son of God, and a king moreover, he profanes the Sabbath, and wishes to do away with the law of our fathers. Pilate says And what are the things which he does, to show that he wishes to do away with it ?^ The Jews say We have a law not to cure any one on the Sabbath but this man ^ has on the Sabbath cured the lame and the crooked, the withered and the blind and the paralytic, the dumb and the demoniac, by evil prac:

We know this man
Mary
;

:

:

;

tices.

to

They say Pilate says to them What evil practices ? him: He is a magician, and by Beelzebul prince of the demons he casts out the demons, and all are subject to him. Pilate says to them This is not casting out the demons by an linclean spirit, but by the god Esculapius. The Jews say to Pilate We entreat your highness that he stand at thy tribunal, and be heard.* And Pilate having called
: :
:

them, says

:

Tell

me how
:

I,

being a procurator, can try a king
is

?

They say

to

him

We

do not say that he

a king, but he

Fufius Geminiis and L. Eubellins Geminus, and the 34th year of Herod Antipas. Other readings are In the eighteenth year In the nineteenth year.
:

—

There is in the Mss. great variation as to tliese names. 2 Lit., and wishes to do away with it. ^ Compare with this, Lactantius, iv. 17. Tlie Jews bronght charges against Jesus, that He did away with the law of God given by Moses, that is, that He
1

did not rest on the Sabbath,
*
:

etc.

and

Another reading is We entreat your highness to go into the praetorium, For Jesus was standing outside with the crowd. (iuestiou him.

THE GOSPEL OF NICODEMUS.

127

himself says that he is. And Pilate having called the runner, And the says to him Let Jesus be brought in with respect. runner going out, and recognising Him, adored Him, and took his cloak into his hand, and spread it on the ground, and says
:

to

calls thee.

Him My lord, walk on this, and come in, for the procurator And the Jews seeing what the runner had done,
:
:

cried out against Pilate, saying
to

Why hast

thou ordered him

by a runner, and not by a crier 1 for assuredly the runner, when he saw him, adored him, and spread his doublet on the ground, and made him walk like a king. And Pilate having called the runner, says to him: Why hast thou done this, and spread out thy cloak upon the earth, and made Jesus walk upon it ? The runner says to him My

come

in

:

lord procurator,

Alexander,^ I

when thou didst send me to Jerusalem to saw him sitting upon an ass, and the sons of the
in their hands,

Hebrews held branches
:

and shouted

;

and other

spread their clothes under him, saying, Save now, thou who art in the highest blessed is he that cometh in the name of
the Lord.^

The Jews cry out, and say to the runner The sons of the Hebrews shouted in Hebrew; whence then hast thou the Greek? The runner says to them I asked one of the Jews, and said,
: :

What
it for

is

it

they are shouting in Hebrew
Pilate says to
:

?

And

he interpreted

them And what did they shout in Hebrew ? The Jews say to him Hosanna onemhrome haruchamma adonai.^ Pilate says to them And this hosanna, etc., how is it interpreted ? The Jews say to him Save now in the
me.
: : :

highest; blessed

he that cometh in the name of the Lord. Pilate says to them If you bear witness to the words spoken by the children, in what has the runner done wrong ? And they were silent. And the procurator says to the runner Go And the runner out, and bring him in what way thou wilt.
is
:

:

going out, did in the same manner as before, and says to Jesus lord, come in the procurator calleth thee. And Jesus going in, and the standard-bearers holding their
:

My

;

standards, the tops of the standards were bent down, and adored
*

Probably the Alexander mentioned in Acts
Matt. xxi.
8,
9.

iv. 6.

2

3 Ps. cxviii.

25:

Hosyah na bimromim baruch hahbd

[b'shcm) Adonai,

128
Jesus.

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
And
the Jews seeing the bearing of the standards,

how

they were bent down and adored Jesus, cried ^ out vehemently
against the standard-bearers.

And

Pilate says to the

Jews

Do you
how

not wonder

how

the tops of the standards were bent
?

down, and adored Jesus

the standard-bearers bent

The Jews say to Pilate We saw them down, and adored him.
:

And
them

the procurator having called the standard-bearers, says to
:

Why

have you done

this

?

They say

to Pilate

:

We

are

Greeks and temple-slaves, and how could we adore him ? and assuredly, as we were holding them up, the tops bent down of their own accord, and adored him. Pilate says to the rulers of the synagogue and the elders of
the people:

Do you

choose for yourselves

men

strong and
let

powerful, and let

them hold up the

standards,

and

us see

whether they will bend down with them. And the elders of the Jews picked out twelve men powerful and strong, and made them hold up the standards six by six and they were
;

placed in front of the procurator's tribunal.
to the

And

Pilate says

Take him outside of the prsetorium, and bring him in again in whatever way may please thee. And Jesus and the runner went out of the prsetorium. And Pilate, summoning those who had formerly held up the standards, says to them: I have sworn by the health of Ceesar, that if the standards do not bend down when Jesus comes in, I will And the procurator ordered Jesus to cut off your heads. come in the second time. And the runner did in the same manner as before, and made many entreaties to Jesus to walk on his cloak. And He walked on it, and went in. And as He went in, the standards were again bent down, and adored
runner
:

Jesus.

Chap. 2. And Pilate seeing this, was afraid, and sought to go away from the tribunal; but when he was still thinking Have nothing to of going away, his wife sent to him, saying do with this just man, for many things have I suffered on his
:

—

account this night.^
1
:

And

Pilate,

summoning

the Jews, says
false wit-

DessiK,

Another reading is Annas and Caiaphas and Joseph, the three began to ciy out, etc.

^'Matt.'xxvii. 19.

THE GOSPEL OF N ICO DEM US.
to

129

them: You know that my wife is a worshipper of God, and prefers to adhere to the Jewish religion along with you. They say to him Yes we know. Pilate says to them Behold, my wife^ has sent to me, saying. Have nothing to do with this just man, for many things have I suffered on account And tlie Jews answering, say unto Pilate of him this night. Did we not tell thee that he was a sorcerer ?^ behold, he has sent a dream to thy Avife. And Pilate, having summoned Jesus, says to Him What do these witness against thee ? Sayest thou nothing ? And Jesus said Unless they had the power, they would say nothing for every one has the power of his own mouth to speak both good and evil. They shall see to it.^ And the elders of the Jews answered, and said to Jesus
:

;

:

:

:

;

What

shall

we

see

?

first,

that thou w^ast born of fornication

secondly, that thy birth in Bethlehem
;

was the cause of the murder of the infants thirdly, that thy father Joseph and thy mother Mary fled into Egypt because they had no confidence
in the people.

Some

of the bystanders, pious

men
;

of the Jews, say

:

We

deny that he was born of fornication for we know that Joseph espoused Mary, and he was not born of fornication. Pilate says to the Jews who said that he was of fornication This story of yours is not true, because they were betrothed, Annas and as also these fellow-countrymen of yours say.
Caiaphas say to Pilate All the multitude of us cry out that he was born of fornication, and are not believed these are
: ;

proselytes,

and his

disciples.
:

Caiaphas, says to them proselytes ? him They are by birth children of the Greeks, and have now become Jews. And those that said that He was not born of fornication, viz. Lazarus, Asterius, Antonius, James, Amnes,
:

And What are

Pilate, calling

Annas and They say to

—

Zeras, Samuel, Isaac, Phinees, Crispus, Agrippas,

say
1

:

We

are not proselytes, but are children of the Jews,

and Judas* and

One MS. adds Procla, the traditional name of Pilate's wife. Three Mss. add And by Beelzebul, prince of the demons, he casts out the demons, and they are all subject to him.
:

—

2

:

2 i.e. let *

them
is

see to

it.

There

considerable variation in the mss. as to these names.

130

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
tlie

speak of
Josejph

truth

;

for

we were
twelve

present at the betrothal of

and Mary.
Pilate, calling these

And

men who
it

said that

He was

not born of fornication, says to them: I adjure you by the

be true that you say, to Pilate "We have a law against taking oaths, because it is a sin but they will swear by the health of Csesar,^ that it is not as we have Pilate says to Annas and said, and we are liable to death. Caiaphas Have you nothing to answer to this ? Annas and Caiaphas say to Pilate These twelve are believed when they say that he was not born of fornication all the multitude of us cry out' that he was born of fornication, and that he is a sorcerer, and he says that he is the Son of God and a king, and
health of Csesar, to tell

me

whether

that he was not born of fornication.

They say

:

;

:

:

;

we

are not believed.

And
twelve

Pilate orders all the multitude to go out, except the

said that He was not born of fornication, and he ordered Jesus to be separated from them. And Pilate says For what reason do they wish to put him to death ? t-o them They say to him They are angry because he cures on the Pilate says Sabbath. For a good work do they wish to put

men who
:

:

:

him

to death

?

They say

to

him

:

Yes.

Chap.

3.

—And
:

Pilate, filled

with rage, went outside of

tlie

prsetorium, and said to them: I take the sun to witness" that

I find no fault in this man.

The Jews answered and

said to

the procurator

Unless this

not have delivered him to take him, and judge him according to your law.
said to Pilate
:

man were an evil-doer, we should thee. And Pilate said, Do you
The Jews

Pilate said

:

put any one to death. Has God said that you are not to put to death,
It is not lawful for us to

but that I

am ?
went again
into the pr?etorium,

And
Jews
^

Pilate

Jesus privately, and said to
?

Him
:

Jesus answered Pilate
them
swear.

and spoke to Art thou the king of tlie Dost thou say this of thyself,
:

Or, let

* See Ap. Const, ii. 56. At last be death upon the culprit raises his hands

who
aloft,

is

going to pronounce sentence of
to witness that

and takes the sun

he

is

innocent of his blood.

THE GOSPEL OF NICODEMUS.
or have others said
it

131

to thee of

me

?

Pilate answered Jesus

Am
tliis

I also a

Jew
is

? ^

Thy

nation and the chief priests have
hast thou done
;

given thee up to me.

What

?

Jesus answered:

My kingdom
world,
thence.

not of this world

for if

my

kingdom were

of

my

servants would fight in order that I should not

be given up to the Jews
Pilate said to

but now my kingdom is not from Him: Art thou then a king? Jesus
:

this

answered him: Thou sayest that I am a king.. Because for have I been born, and have I come, in order that every one who is of the truth might hear my voice. Pilate says to Him What is truth ? Jesus says to him Truth is from
:

:

heaven.
Pilate
:

Pilate says

:

Is truth not

upon earth
earth.

?

Jesus says to

Thou

seest

how

those

who speak

the truth are judged

by those that have the power upon
Chap.
4.

—And leaving

Jesus within the prsetorium, Pilate
:

went out to the Jews, and said to them I find no fault in him. The Jews say to him: He said, I can destroy this temple, and in three days build it. Pilate says What temple ? The Jews say The one that Solomon^ built in forty-six years, and this man speaks of pulling it down and building it in Pilate says to them three days. I am innocent of the blood See you to it. The Jews say His blood of this just man. be upon us, and upon our children. And Pilate having summoned the elders and priests and Levites, said to them privately Do not act thus, because no charge that you. bring against him is worthy of death for your charge is about curing and Sabbath profanation. The elders and the priests and the Levites say If any one speak evil against Caesar, is he worthy of death or not ? Pilate He is worthy of death. The Jews say to Pilate If any says one speak evil against Caesar, he is worthy of death but this
: :
:

:

:

;

:

:

:

;

man has spoken evil against God. And the procurator ordered the Jews
I do to thee
1

to go outside of the

prsetorium; and sumrnoning Jesus, he says to
?

Him: What

shall

Jesus says to Pilate
:

:

As
not

it

has been given to
to say that I too

The

full force of the expression is

You do

mean

am

a Jew?
2

Comp. John

ii.

20.

132
thee.

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
Pilate says
:

How

given

?

Jesus says

:

Moses and the
say to
Pilate

prophets have proclaimed beforehand of
rection.

my

death and resur-

Pilate

:

And the Jews noticing this, and hearing it, What more wilt thou hear of this blasphemy ?
:

words be blasphemous, do you take him for the blasphemy, and lead him away to your synagogue, and judge him according to your law. The Jews say to Pilate: Our law bears that a man who wrongs his fellow-men is worthy but he that blasphemeth God is to to receive forty save one be stoned with stones.^ Pilate says to them Do you take him, and punish him in whatever way you please. The Jews say to Pilate We wish Pilate says: He is not deserving of that he be crucified.
If these
; :
:

says to the Jews

crucifixion.

And

the procurator, looking round upon the crowds of the
by, sees

Jews standing
:

many

of the

Jews weeping, and says

All the multitude do not wish him to die. The elders of the Jews say For this reason all the multitude of us have come,
that he should die.
die
?

Pilate says to the
:

The Jews say

Jews Why should he Because he called himself Son of God,
:

and King.
5, And one Nicodemus, a Jew, stood before the proand said I beseech your honour, let me say a few words. Nicodemus says I said to the elders and Pilate says Say on. the priests and Levites, and to all the multitude of the Jews in the synagogue, What do you seek to do with this man ? This man does many miracles and strange things, which no one has done or will do. Let him go, and do not wish any evil against him. If the miracles which he does are of God, they will stand For assuredly but if of man, they will come to nothing.^

Chap.

—
:

curator,

:

:

;

Moses, being sent by God into Egypt, did many miracles, which the Lord commanded him to do before Pharaoh king of Egypt, And there were there Jannes and Jambres, servants of Pharaoh, and they also did not a few of the miracles which Moses did; and the Egyptians took them to be gods this Jannes and this Jambres.^ But, since the miracles which they did were not of God, both they and those who believed in

—

»

Deut. XXV. 3

;

Lev. xxiv. 16.

"

Acts

v. 38.

»

2 Tim.

iii.

8, 9.

THE GOSPEL OF NICODEMUS.
them were
destroyed.

133
for

And now
:

release this

man,

he

is

not

deserving of death.

The Jews say to Nicodenms Thou hast become his disciple, and therefore thou defendest him. Nicodemus says to them Perhaps, too, the procurator has become his disciple, because he defends him. Has the emperor not appointed him to this And the Jews were vehemently enraged, place of dignity ? and gnashed their teeth against Mcodemus. Pilate says to them Why do you gnash your teeth against him when you hear the truth ? The Jews say to Nicodemus IMayst thou receive his truth and his portion. Nicodemus says Amen, amen may I receive it, as you have said.
: : :

;

Chap.

6.

— One

of the Jews, stepping up, asked leave of the

procurator to say a word.
to say anything, say on. I lay in

The procurator says

:

If thou wishest

my

bed in great

And the Jew said agony. And when
:

Thirty-eight years

Jesus came,

many

demoniacs, and

many

lying

ill

of various diseases, were cured

by him. And some young men, taking pity on me, carried me, bed and all, and took me to liim. And when Jesus saw me, he had compassion on me, and said to me Take up thy couch and walk. And I took up my couch, and walked. The Jews say to Pilate Ask him on what day it was that he was cured. He that had been cured says On a Sabbath.-^ The Jews say Is
:
:
:

:

not this the very thing that
cures and casts out

we

said, that

on a Sabbath he

demons

?
:

And

another

Jew

stepped up and said
face.

I

was born blind

;

I

heard sounds, but saw not a

And

as Jesus passed by, I

cried out with a loud voice. Pity me, son of David. And he pitied me, and put his hands upon my eyes, and I instantly received my sight.^ And another Jew stepped up and said I was crooked, and he straightened me with a word. And another said I was a leper, and he cured me with a word.^
:
:

Chap. 7. And a woman * cried out from a distance, and said had an issue of blood, and I touched the hem of his garment, and the issue of blood which I had had for twelve years was
I
'

—

John
Matt.

V.

5-9. 1-4, etc.

2
*

]\iark x. 46, etc.

2

viii.

Some

Mss. add the

name

Beniice, or Veronica.

134
stopped.^

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
The Jews say
is
:

We

have a law, that a woman's

evidence

not to be received.^
others, a multitude

Chap.

8.

—And
:

both of

men and women,
demons

cried out, saying

This

man

is

a prophet, and the demons are

subject to him.

Pilate says to

them who
:

said that the

were subject to
subject to

Him Why,
:

then, were not your teachers also

do not Imow. And tomb after he had been dead four days.* And the procurator trembled, and said to all the multitude of the Jews Why do you wish to pour out innocent blood ?

him
:

?

They say

to Pilate

We

others said

He

raised Lazarus from the

:

Chap. 9. And having summoned Mcodemus and the twelve men that said He was not born of fornication, he says to them What shall I do, because there is an insurrection among the
people
?

—

They say

to

him

:

We know
all

not

;

let

them

see to

it.

Again
says
:

Pilate,

having summoned
it is

the multitude of the Jews,

You know that

customary, at the feast of unleavened
I

bread, to release one prisoner to you.

prisoner in the prison, a murderer

have one condemned Barabbas, and this man standing in your presence, Jesus, in whom I find no fault. Which of them do you wish me to release to you ? And they cry out Barabbas. Pilate says What, then, shall we do to Jesus who is called Christ ? The Jews say Let him be crucified. And others said Thou art no friend of Caesar's if thou release this man, because he called himseK Son of God and You wish, then, this man to be king, and not Csesar ? * king. And Pilate, in a rage, says to the Jews Always has your nation been rebellious, and you always speak against your

named

:

:

:

:

:

The Jews say What benefactors ? He says to Your God led you out of the land of Egypt from bitter slavery, and brought you safe through the sea as through dry land, and in the desert fed you with manna, and gave you
benefactors.
:

them

:

quails,

gave you a law

and quenched your thirst with water from a rock, and and in all these things you provoked your God to anger, and sought a molten calf. And you exasperated
; '

Matt.

ix.
xi.

20-26.
1-16.

-

Jos. Ant. iv. 8, § 15.

3

John

*

Matt, xxvii. 15-26,

etc.

THE GOSPEL OF NICODEMUS.

135

your God, and He sought to slay you. And Moses prayed for you, and you were not put to death. And now you charge me with hating the emperor.^ And rising up from the tribunal, he sought to go out. And the Jews cry out, and say We know that Csesar is king, and not Jesus. For assuredly the magi brought gifts to him as to a king. And when Herod heard from the magi that a king had been born, he sought to slay him and his father Joseph, knowing this, took him and his mother, and they fled into
:

;

Egypt.

And Herod hearing Hebrews that had been born And when
out,

of

it,

destroyed the children of the

in Bethlehem.^

Pilate heard

these words, he

was

afraid

;

and

ordering the crowd to keep silence, because they were crying

he says
:

to

them

:

So

this is

Jews say

Yes,

it is he.

he whom Herod sought ? The And, taking water, Pilate washed his
:

hands in the face of the sun, saying I am innocent of the blood of this just man see you to it. Again the Jews cry out His blood be upon us, and upon our children. Then Pilate ordered the curtain of the tribunal where he was sitting to be drawn,® and says to Jesus Thy nation has charged thee with being a king. On this account I sentence thee, first to be scourged, according to the enactment of venerable kings, and then to be fastened on the cross in the garden where thou wast seized. And let Dysmas and Gestas, the two malefactors, be crucified with thee.
;
:

Chap.

10.

—And Jesus went forth out of the prsetorium, and
And when

the two malefactors with Him.
place, they stripped

they came to the and girded Him with a towel, and put a crown of thorns on Him round His head, And they crucified Him and at the same time also they himg up the two malefactors along with Him. And Jesus said Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. And and the people the soldiers parted His clothes among them stood looking at Him. And the chief priests, and the rulers

Him

of

His

clothes,

;

;

'

Lit. ,

king.

Other readings are

:

with wishing another king

;

with seeking

Jesus for king.
2

One

MS. adds

:

from two years old and under.
See Const. Apost.
ii.

'

This was customary before pronouncing sentence.

56.

136

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
:

with them, mocked Him, saying He saved others let him If he be the Son of God, let him come down from the cross. And the soldiers made sport of Him, coming near and offering Him vinegar mixed with gall, and said Thou art the king of the Jews save thyself.^
;

save himself.

:

;

And
against
Latin,
is

Pilate, after the

sentence, ordered

the

charge
said

made
:

Him

to

be inscribed as a superscription in Greek, and
to

and Hebrew, according

what the Jews had

He

king of the Jews.

And

one of the malefactors hanging up spoke to Him, saying be the Christ, save thyself and
:

If thou

us.

And Dysmas

Dost thou not fear God, because thou art in the same condemnation ? And we indeed justly, for we receive the fit punishment of our deeds but this man has done no evil. And he said to Jesus Eemember me. Lord, in Thy kingdom. And Jesus said to him Amen, amen I say to thee, To-day shalt thou be ^ with me in Paradise.
;
:
:

answering, reproved him, saying

Chap.

11.

—And

it

was about the sixth hour, and there was
split in the
:

darkness over the earth until the ninth hour, the sun being

darkened
middle.

;

and the curtain of the temple was
ruel,

And

crying out with a loud voice, Jesus said

Father,
I

haddach ephkid

which

is,

interpreted

:

Into

Thy hands

gave up the ghost. And the centurion, seeing what had happened, glorified God, and said This was a just man. And all the crowds that were present at this spectacle, when they saw wliat had hapspirit.^

commit

my

And

having said

this.

He

:

pened, beat their breasts and went away.

And
curator.

the centurion reported what had happened to the pro-

And when tlie procurator and his wife heard it, they were exceedingly grieved, and neither ate nor drank that day. And Pilate sent for the Jews, and said to them Have you seen what has happened ? And they say Tliere has been an eclipse of the sun in the usual way.*
:

:

"

Some

side,

And the soldier Longimis, taking a of the Mss. add and there came forth blood and water.
:

And -His acquaintances were standing at a distance, and the women who came with Him from Galilee, seeing these things. And a man named Joseph, a councillor from the city of Arimathea, who also waited for the kingdom of God, went to Pilate, And he took it down, and and begged the body of Jesus.
wrapped
it

in clean linen,

of the rock, in

and placed it in a tomb hewn out which no one had ever lain.
the Jews, hearing that Joseph had begged

Chap.

12.

— And

the body of Jesus, sought

him and

the twelve

who

said that

Jesus was not born of fornication, and Nicodemus, and
others

many

who had stepped up

before Pilate and declared His good

works.

And

of all these that

were

hid,

Nicodemus alone was

seen by them, because he was a ruler of the Jews.

And

Nico-

demus says to them The Jews say to him
for

:

:

How have you come into the synagogue ? How hast thou come into the synagogue
?

and his portion is with thee Nicodemus says Amen, amen. And in the world to come. likewise Joseph also stepped out and said to them Why are you angry against me because I begged the body of Jesus ? Behold, I have put him in my new tomb, wrapping him in clean linen and I have rolled a stone to the door of the tomb. And you have acted not well against the just man, because you have not repented of crucifying him, but also have pierced him with a spear. And the Jews seized Joseph, and ordered him to be secured until the first day of the week, and said to him
thou art a confederate of
his,
:

:

;

Know

that the time does not allow us to do anything against

and know that thou we shall give thy flesh to the birds of the air. Joseph says to them These are the words of the arrogant Goliath, who reproached the hving God and holy David.^ For God has said by the prophet, Vengeance is mine, and I will repay, saith the Lord.^ And now he that is uncircumcised in flesh, but circumcised in heart, has taken water, and washed his hands in the face of the sun, see ye saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just man
thee, because the

Sabbath

is

dawning

;

shalt not be

deemed worthy

of burial, but

:

;

moon. Now you ate your passover yesterday, the fourteenth of the month, and you say that it was an eclipse of tlie sun. ' 2 Deut. xxxii. 35; Kom. sii. 19; Heb. x. 30. 1 Sam. xvii. 44.

138
to
it.

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
And you

answered and said to Pilate, His blood he and upon our children. And now I am afraid lest the wrath of God come upon you, and upon your children, as you have said. And the Jews, hearing these words, were embittered in their souls, and seized Joseph, and locked him into a room where there was no window and guards were stationed at the door, and they sealed the door where Joseph was locked in. And on the Sabbath, the rulers of the synagogue, and the priests and the Levites, made a decree that all should be found And rising up in the synagogue on the first day of the week. early, all the multitude in the synagogue consulted by what death they should slay him. And when the Sanhedrim M^as sitting, they ordered him to be brought with much indignity. And having opened the door, they found him. not. And all the people were surprised, and struck with dismay, because they found the seals unbroken, and because Caiaphas had the key. And they no longer dared to lay hands upon those who had spoken before Pilate in Jesus' behalf.

upon

us,

;

Chap.

13.

—And

while they were

still

sitting in the syna-

gogue, and wondering about Joseph, there come some of the

guard

whom

the Jews had begged of Pilate to guard the

of Jesus, that His disciples

might not come and

steal

tomb Him.

And

they reported to the rulers of the synagogue, and the
:

and the Levites, what had happened how there had been a great earthquake and we saw an angel coming down from heaven, and he rolled away the stone from the mouth of the tomb, and sat upon it and he shone like snow, and like lightning. And we were very much afraid, and lay like dead men and we heard the voice of the angel saying to the women who remained beside the tomb, Be not afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here He is risen, Come, see the place where the Lord lay and go as He said. quickly, and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and is in Galilee.^ The Jews say To what women did he speak ? The men of The Jews the guard say We do not know who they were. say At what time was this ? The men of the guard say At
priests
; ;

;

:

:

:

:

:

:

'

Matt, xxviii. 5-7.

THE GOSPEL OF NICODEMUS.
midnight.
of
:

139

The Jews say And wherefore did you not lay hohl The men of the guard say We were like dead men from fear, not expecting to see the light of day, and how could we lay hold of them ? The Jews say As the Lord liveth, we do not believe you. The men of the guard say to the Jews You have seen so great miracles in the case of this man, and have not believed and how can you believe us ? And assuredly you have done well to swear that the Lord liveth, for indeed He does live. Again the men of the guard say We have heard that you have locked up the man that begged the body of Jesus, and put a seal on the door and that you have opened it, and not found him. Do you then give us the man whom you were guarding, and we shall give you Jesus. The Jews say Joseph has gone away to his own city. The men And Jesus has risen, as we of the guard say to the Jews heard from the angel, and is in Galilee. And when the Jews heard these words, they were very much afraid, and said We must take care lest this story be heard, and And the Jews called a council, and paid all incline to Jesus. down a considerable sum of money, and gave it to the soldiers, saying Say, while we slept, his disciples came by night and and if this come to the ears of the procurator, we stole him shall persuade him, and keep you out of trouble. And they took it, and said as they had been instructed.^

them

?

:

:

;

:

;

:

:

:

:

;

Chap. 14. And Phinees a priest, and Adas a teacher, and Haggai a Levite, came down from Galilee to Jerusalem, and said to the rulers of the synagogue, and the priests and the Levites We saw Jesus and his disciples sitting on the mountain called Mamilch ^ and he said to his disciples. Go into all the world, and preach to every creature: he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, and he that believeth
:

—

;

1 Three of the Latin versions say: And they took the money, but could not hide the truth. For they wanted to say, His disciples stole him while we slept, and could not utter it but said, Truly the Lord Jesus Christ has risen from the
;

dead and we saw an angel of God coming down from heaven, and he rolled back the stone, and sat on it. And this saying has been spread abroad amon» the Jews even to this day. 2 Others readings are Malek, Mophek, Mambre, Mabrech. Vid. 2 Kin^-s
;
:

xxiii. 13.

140

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
And
up
these signs shall attend those
in

not shall be condemned.

who have believed speak new tongues,
deadly thing,
it

:

my name

they shall cast out demons,
;

take

shall

and if they drink any by no means hurt them they shall lay
serpents
;

hands on the

and they shall be well. And while Jesus Avas speaking to his disciples, we saw him taken up into heaven.^ The elders and the priests and Levites say Give glory to the God of Israel, and confess to Him whether you have heard and seen those things of which you have given us an account. And those who had given the account said As the Lord liveth, the God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, we heard these things, and saw him taken up into heaven. The Have you elders and the priests and the Levites say to them come to give us this announcement, or to offer prayer to God ? And they say To offer prayer to God. The elders and the chief priests and the Levites say to them If you have come to offer prayer to God, why then have you told these idle tales in the presence of all the people?^ Says Phinees the priest, and Adas the teacher, and Haggai the Levite, to the rulers of the synagogues, and the priests and the Levites If what we have said and seen be sinful, behold, we are before you do to us as seems good in your eyes. And they took the law, and made them swear upon it, not to give any more an account of these matters to any one. And they gave them to eat and drink, and sent them out of the city, having given them also money, and three men with them; and they sent them away to Galilee. And these men having gone into Galilee, the chief priests, and the rulers of the synagogue, and the elders, came together into the synagogue, and locked the door, and lamented with a great lamentation, saying Is this a miracle that has happened And Annas and Caiaphas said: Why are you so in Israel? much moved ? Why do you weep ? Do you not know that
sick,
:

:

:

:

:

:

;

:

his disciples have given a

sum

of gold to the guards of the

tomb, and have instructed them to say that an angel came down and rolled away the stone from the door of the tomb ?

And the priests and the elders said Be it that liis disciples have stolen his body how is it that the life has come into his
:

;

1

[Mark
Lit.,

xvi. 15-18.]
llieu this trilling
\\

"

why

hlch yc have

trilk-J, etc.

THE GOSPEL OF NICODEMUS.

141

And they being "body, and that he is going about in Galilee ? unable to give an answer to these things, said, after great hesitation It is not lawful for us to believe the uncircumcised.
:

Chap.

15.

—And Nicodemus
:

stood up, and stood before the
;^

Sanhedrim, saying

You

say well

people of the Lord, of these
that they fear God, arid are
ousness,

men men

that

you are not ignorant, you come down from Galilee,

of substance, haters of covet-

and they have declared with an oath, We saw Jesus upon the mountain Mamilch with his disciples, and he taught what we heard from him, and we saw him taken up into heaven. And no one asked them in what form he went up. For assuredly, as the book of the Holy Scriptures taught us, Helias also was taken up into heaven, and ElissfBus cried out with a loud voice, and Helias threw his sheepskin upon Elissseus, and Elissaus threw his sheepskin upon the Jordan, and crossed, and came into Jericho. And the children of the prophets met him, and said, Elissseus, where is thy master Helias ? And he said. He has been taken up And they said to Elissseus, Has not a spirit into heaven. seized him, and thrown him upon one of the mountains ? But let us take our servants ^ with us, and seek him. And they persuaded Elissceus, and he went away with them. And they sought him three days, and did not find him and they kne\v that he had been taken up.^ And now listen to me, and let us send into every district of Israel, and see lest perchance Christ has been taken up by a spirit, and thrown upon one of
of peace
; ;

men

the mountains.

And

this proposal pleased

all.

And

they sent

and sought Jesus, and did not find Him but they found Joseph in Arimathea, and no one dared to lay hands on him. And they reported to the elders, and the priests, and the Levites We have gone round to every district o± Israel, and have not found Jesus but Joseph we have found in Arimathea. And hearing about Joseph, they were glad, and gave glory to the God of Israel. And the rulers of the synagogue, and the priests and the Levites, having held a council as to the manner
into every district of Israel,
;
:

;

'

Ferhaps better as a question.
Lit., boys.
3

*

2 Kings

ii.

12-18.

142
in

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.

which they should meet with Joseph, took a piece of paper, and wrote to Joseph as follows Peace to thee We know that we have sinned against God, and against thee and we have prayed to the God of Israel, that thou shouldst deign to come to thy fathers, and to thy children, because we have all been grieved. For having opened the door, we did not find thee. And we know that we have counselled evil counsel against thee but the Lord has defended thee, and the Lord HimseK has scattered to the winds our
: !

;

;

counsel against thee,

honourable father Joseph.

all Israel seven men, friends of Joseph, Joseph himseK was acquainted with and the rulers of the synagogue, and the priests and the Levites, say to them Take notice if, after receiving our letter, he read it, know that he will come with you to us but if he do not read it, know that he is iU-disposed towards us. And having saluted him in And having blessed the men, they dispeace, return to us. missed them. And the men came to Joseph, and did reverence And he said Peace Peace to thee to him, and said to him And they gave him the to you, and to all the people of Israel And Joseph having received it, read the roll of the letter. Blessed be letter and rolled it up, and blessed God, and said the Lord God, who has delivered Israel, that they should not shed innocent blood and blessed be the Lord, wdio sent out His angel, and covered me under his wings. And he set a table for them and they ate and drank, and slept there. And they rose up early, and prayed. And Joseph saddled and they came to the holy his ass, and set out with the men And aU the people met Joseph, and cried city Jerusalem. And he said to all the out Peace to thee in thy coming in people Peace to you and he kissed them. And the people prayed with Joseph, and they were astonished at the sight

And

they chose from

M^hom

also

;

:

;

:

!

:

!

:

;

;

;

:

!

:

!

of liim.

And Nicodemus
priests,

received

made a
elders,

great feast, and called

him into his house, and Annas and Caiaphas, and the

and the Levites to his house. And they and drinking with Joseph; and after singing hymns, each proceeded to his own house. But Joseph remained and the
rejoiced, eating

in the house of

Mcodemus.

And

on the following day, which was the pre^Daration, the

THE GOSPEL OF NIC ODEMUS.
rulers of the synagogue

M3

and the priests and the Levites went Nicodemus and Nicodemus met them, And they said Peace to thee, and to and said Peace to you Joseph, and to all thy house, and to all the house of Joseph And he brought them into his house. And all the Sanhedrim sat down, and Joseph sat down between Annas and Caiaphas and no one dared to say a word to him. And Joseph said Why have you called me ? And they signalled to Nicodemus
early to the house of
:

;

!

:

;

to speak to Joseph. to
:

And Nicodemus, opening his mouth, said Joseph Father, thou knowest that the honourable teachers, and the priests and the Levites, seek to learn a word from thee. And Joseph said: Ask. And Annas and Caiaphas having taken the law, made Joseph swear, saying Give glory to the God of Israel, and give Him confession for Achar being made to swear by the prophet Jesus,^ did not forswear himself, but Do declared unto him all, and did not hide a word from him.
:

;

thou also accordingly not hide from us to the extent of a word. And Joseph said I shall not hide from you one word. And they said to him With grief were we grieved because thou
:
:

body of Jesus, and wrap it in clean linen, and lay it in a tomb. And on account of this we secured thee in a room where there was no window and we put locks and seals upon the doors, and guards kept watching where thou wast locked in. And on the first day of the week we opened, and found thee not, Elnd were grieved exceedingly and astonishment fell upon all the people of the Lord until yesterday. And now relate to us what has happened to thee. And Joseph said On the preparation, about the tenth hour, you locked me up, and I remained all the Sabbath. And at midnight, as I was standing and praying, the room where you locked me in was hung up by the four corners, and I saw a light like lightning into my eyes.^ And I was afraid, and fell And some one took me by the hand, and reto the ground. moved me from the place where I had fallen and moisture of water was poured from my head even to my feet, and a smell And he wiped my face, of perfumes came about my nostrils. and kissed me, and said to me, Pear not, Joseph open thine And looking up, I eyes, and see who it is that speaks to thee.
didst beg the
;
;
:

;

;

1 i.e.

Joshua.

Josh.

vii. 19, 20.

^ Cf.

Acts

x. 11.

144

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
;

saw Jesus. And I trembled, and thoiiglit it was a pliantom and I said the commandments, and he said them with me.-^ Even so you are not ignorant that a phantom, if it meet anybody, and hear the commandments, takes to flight. And seeing And that he said them with me, I said to him. Rabbi Helias. he said to me, I am not Helias. And I said to him, Wlio art thou, my lord ? And he said to me, I am Jesus, whose body thou didst beg from Pilate and thou didst clothe me with clean linen, and didst put a napkin on my face, and didst lay me in thy new tomb, and didst roll a great stone to the door of the tomb. And I said to him that was speaking to me. Show me the place wliere I laid thee. And he carried me aM^ay, and showed me the place where I laid him and the linen cloth was lying in it, and the napkin for his face. And I knew that it was Jesus. And he took me by the hand, and placed me, though the doors were locked, in the middle of my house, and led me away to my bed, and said to me. Peace to thee And he kissed me, and said to me. For forty days go not forth out
;

;

!

of thy house

;

for,

behold, I go to

my

brethren into Galilee.

Chap. 16. And the rulers of the synagogue, and the priests and the Levites, when they heard tliese words from Joseph, became as dead, and fell to the ground, and fasted until the ninth hour. And Nicodemus, along with Joseph, exhorted Annas and Caiaphas, the priests and the Levites, saying Else up and stand upon your feet, and taste bread, and strengthen your souls, because to-morrow is the Sabbath of the Lord. And they rose up, and prayed to God, and ate and drank, and de:

—

parted every

man

to his

own

house.

And on
that has

the Sabbath our teachers and the priests and Levites

sat questioning each other,

and saying

:

What

is

this \vratli

and mother. I know that his parents fear God, and do Levi, a teacher, says not withdraw themselves from the prayers, and give the tithes And when Jesus was born, his parents brought thrice a year.^ him to this place, and gave sacrifices and burnt-offerings to God.
?

come upon us
:

for

we know

his father

^

Or,

and

lie

spoke to me.

~

the year.

This would seem to confirm the opiniou that there were three tithes paid in Vid. Smith's Diet, sub voce.

THE GOSPEL OF NICO DEM US.
And when
he
to
said,

145

the great teacher
Tliou sendest
in peace
;

Now

Thy word,

for

Symeon took him into his arms, away Thy servant, Lord, according mine eyes have seen Thy salvation,
:

which Thou hast prepared before the face of all the peoples a light for the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel. And Symeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother, I give thee good news about this child. And Mary
said, It is well,

my

lord.

And Symeon
;

said to her. It

is

well

behold, he lies for the fall and rising again of

many

in Israel,

and

for a sign

spoken against

and of thee thyself a sword

shall go through the soul, in order that the reasoning of

many

hearts

may
?

be revealed.^
to the teacher Levi
:

They say
things

:

How
not
to

Levi says to them
?

Do you

know

learned the law

The Sanhedrim say

knowest thou these that from him I him We wish to see
:

thy

they sent for his father. And they asked him; and he said to them: Why have you not believed my
father.

And

son?
law.

The blessed and just Symeon himself taught him the The Sanhedrim says to Eabbi Levi Is the word that you
:

have said true

?

And

he said

:

It is true.

And

the rulers of

the synagogue, and the priests and the Levites, said to themselves Come, let us send into Galilee to the three men that came and told about his teaching and his taking up, and let them tell us how they saw him taken up. And this saying pleased all. And they sent away the three men who had already gone away into Galilee with them and they say to them Say to Rabbi Adas, and Eabbi Phinees, and Eabbi Haggai Peace to you, and all who are with you A great inquiry having taken place in the Sanhedrim, we have been sent to you to call you to
:

;

:

:

!

this holy place, Jerusalem.

And the men set out into Galilee, and found them sitting and considering the law; and they saluted them in peace. And the men who were in Galilee said to those who had come to them Peace upon all Israel And they said Peace to you And they again said to them Why have you come ? And those who had been sent said The Sanhedrim call you to the holy city Jerusalem. And when the men heard that they were sought by the Sanhedrim, they prayed to God, and reclined
:
!

:

:

:

•

Luke

ii.

25-35.

146
with, the

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
men, and ate and drank, and rose up, and
tlie

set out in

peace to Jerusalem.

And on

following day the Sanhedrim sat in the syna:

gogue, and asked them, saying
ting on the

Did you really see Jesus sitmountain Mamilch teaching his eleven disciples, and did you see him taken up ? And the men answered them, and said As we saw him taken up, so also we said. Annas says Take them away from one another, and let us And they took them away see whether their account agrees. from one another. And first they call Adas, and say to him How didst thou see Jesus taken up ? Adas says While he was yet sitting on the mountain Mamilch, and teaching his disciples, we saw a cloud overshadowing both liim and his And the cloud took him up into heaven, and his disciples. And they call disciples lay upon their face upon the earth. Phinees the priest, and ask him also, saying How didst thou And he spoke in like manner. And see Jesus taken up ? they again asked Haggai, and he spoke in like manner. And the Sanhedrim said The law of Moses holds At the mouth Buthem, a of two or three every word shall be established.^ teacher, says It is written in the law, And Enoch walked with God, and is not, because God took him.^ Jairus, a teacher, said And the death of holy Moses we have heard of, and have not seen it; for it is written in the law of the Lord, And Moses died from the mouth of the Lord, and no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day.^ And Eabbi Levi said Why did Eabbi Symeon say, when he saw Jesus, " Behold, he lies for the lall and rising again of many in Israel, and for a sign spoken against ?"* And Rabbi Isaac said It is written in the
: :

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

messenger before thy face, who shall go before thee to keep thee in every good way, because my name has been caUed upon him.^ Then Annas and Caiaphas said Eightly have you said what is written in the law of Moses, that no one saw the death of Enoch, and no one has named the death of Moses but Jesus was tried before Pilate, and we saw him receiving blows and
law, Behold, I send
:

my

;

spittings
1

on his
6.

face,
2 ^

and the
Qen.
v.

soldiers
;

put about him a crown
' iii.

Deut. xvii.

24

Heb.
;

xi. 5.

Deut. xxxiv.
xi. 10.

5, 6.

*

Luke

iL 34.

Ex. xxiii. 20, 21

Mai.

1

;

Matt.

THE GOSPEL OF NICODEMUS.
of thorns,
Pilate,

147

and he was scourged, and received sentence from and was crucified upon the Cranium, and two robbers with him and they gave him to drink vinegar with gall, and Longinus the soldier pierced his side with a spear and Joseph our honourable father begged his body, and, as he says, he is risen; and as the three teachers say. We saw him taken up into heaven and Eabbi Levi has given evidence of what was said by Eabbi Symeon, and that he said. Behold, he lies for the fall [and] rising again of many in Israel, and for a sign
; ;
;

spoken against.
the Lord
:

And

all

the teachers said to all the people of

was from the Lord, and is wonderful in your house of Jacob, that it is eyes,^ knowing you shall know, And written, Cursed is every one that hangeth upon a tree.'^ another scripture teaches The gods which have not made the heaven and the earth shaU be destroyed.^ And the priests and
If this
:

the Levites said to each other: If his memorial be until the
[year] that
is

called Jobel,*

know

that

it

shall

endure for ever,

and he hath raised for himself a new people. Then the rulers of the synagogue, and the priests and the Levites, announced to Cursed is that man who shall worship the all Israel, saying work of man's hand, and cursed is the man who shall worship the creatures more than the Creator. And aU the people said.
:

Amen, amen.^ And aU the people
the Lord,
all

praised^ the Lord, and said: Blessed

is

who hath

given rest to His people Israel, according to

that

He

hath spoken; there hath not fallen one word ot

every good word of His that He spoke to Moses His servant. May the Lord our God be with us, as He was with our fathers
let

Him

not destroy

us.

And

let

Him

not destroy us, that

we

may

Him, that we may walk in all His ways, that we may keep His commandments and His judgments which He commanded to our fathers.'^ And the Lord shall be for a king over aU the earth in that day; and there The Lord is our king shall be one Lord, and His name one.^
incline our hearts to
»

Ps. cxviii. 23.

"^

Deut. xxi. 23

;

Gal.

iii.

13.

'

Jer. x. 11.
is

* i.e.

the year of jubilee.

The
i.

original,

'ius

roZ

a-ufi/jLov,

not Greek.

It is

not easy to see what the passage means.
5
7

It

may

refer to Isa. Ixi. 1-3.
^

Deut. xxvii. 15 Rom. 1 Kings viii. 56-58.
;

25.

Or, sang

hymns
9.

to.

*

Zech. xiv.

148

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
shall save
us.-^

He
art
us,

There

is

none

like Thee,

Lord.^

Great
heal

Thon,

Lord, and great

is

Thy name.
:

By Thy power

Lord, and

we

shall be healed

save us,
lot

Lord, and

we

and heritage. And the Lord will not leave His people, for His great name's sake for the Lord has begun to make us into His people.* And all, having sung praises, went away each man to his own house, glorifying God for His is the glory for ever and
shall he saved
;^

because

we

are

Thy

;

ever.

Amen.
'

Isa. xxxiii. 22.

2 Ps_ Ixxxvi. 8.

3 Cf. Jer. xvii. 14.

« Cf. 1

Sam.

xii.

22.

THE GOSPEL OF NTCOBEMUS.
PAET I.—ACTS OF PILATE.
SECOND GREEK FORM.

NARPtATIVE
Christ,

about the suffering

of

our Lord Jesus

and His holy resurrection. Written by a Jew, ^neas by name, and translated out of the Hebrew tongue into the Romaic
language by Nicodemus, a

Roman

toparch.

After the dissolution of the kingdom of the Hebrews, four hundred years having run their course, and the Hebrews also
at last under the kingdom of the Romans, and the king of the Romans appointing them a king when Tiberius

coming

;

swayed the Roman sceptre, in the eighteenth year of his reign, he appointed as king in Judea, Herod, the son of the Herod who had formerly slaughtered the infants in Bethlehem, and he made Pilate procurator in Jerusalem when Annas and Caiaphas held the high-priesthood of Jerusalem, Nicodemus, a Roman toparch, having summoned a Jew, ^neas by name, asked him to write an account of the things done in Jerusalem about Christ in the times of Annas and Caiaphas. The Jew accordingly did this, and delivered it to Nicodemus
Csesar at last
;

and he, again, translated it from the Hebrew writing into the Bomaic language. And the account is as follows
:

Chap.

1.

— Our

Lord Jesus Christ having wrought in Judea

many and

great and extraordinary miracles, and on account of

this being hated

in Jerusalem, and

by the Hebrews, while Pilate was procurator Annas and Caiaphas high priests, there came
149

150
of the

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
Jews
to the chief priests, Judas, Levi,

Nephthalim, Alex-

ander, Syrus, and

many

others, speaking against Christ.

And

these chief priests sent
also.

them away

to say these things to Pilate
:

man walks And they went away, and said to him about in this city whose father is called Joseph, and his mother Mary and he calls himself king and Son of God and being a Jew, he overturns the Scriptures, and does away with the Sab; ;

A

bath.

Pilate then asked, in order to learn from

them

in

what

manner he did away with the Sabbath.
saying
:

And

He

cures the sick on the Sabbath,

they answered, Pilate says If he
:

makes the

sick whole, he does no evil.

They say

to
;

him

:

If

he effected the cures properly, small would be the evil but by using magic he does these things, and by having the demons on his side. Pilate says To cure a person that is ill is not a diabolic work, but a grace from God. The Hebrews said We beseech your highness to summon liim, in order that thou mayst make accurate inquiry into what we say. Pilate therefore, throwing off his cloak, gave it to one of his officers,^ saying Go away, and show this to Jesus,
: :

:

and say
him.

to him, Pilate the procurator calls thee to
officer

come

before

The

accordingly went away, and finding Jesus,

summoned Him, having unfolded on
mantle, and urged

the ground also Pilate's walk upon it. And the Hebrews, seeing this, and being greatly enraged, came to Pilate, murmuring against him, how he had deemed Jesus worthy of so great

Him

to

honour.

And he, having inquired of the officer who had been sent how he had done so, the officer answered: When thou didst send me to the Jew Alexander, I came upon Jesus entering the gate of the city, sitting upon an ass. And I saw that the
Hebrews spread their garments in the way, and the ass walked upon the garments and others cut branches, and they went forth to meet him, and cried out, Hosanna in the highest Thus, therefore, it was necessary for me also to do. The Jews, hearing these words, said to him How didst thou, being a Roman, know what was said by the Hebrews ? The
;
:

officer

answered
'

:

I asked one of the Hebrews, and he told
:

me

these things.

Pilate said
MS. inserts:

What means Hosanna

?

The Jews

One

by name Kachaab, the messenger.

THE GOSPEL OF NICODEMUS.
said
:

l.U

Save

us,

Lord.

Pilate answered
so,

:

Since you confess
bring charges, and
silent,

that your children said

how now do you
?

say against Jesus what you do say

The Jews were

and had nothing

to answer.^

Now,

as Jesus

was coming

to Pilate, the soldiers of Pilate

adored Him.
also

And

others also were standing before Pilate

And as Jesus was coming, the standards bowed down, and adored Him. As Pilate, therefore, was wondering at what had happened, the Jews said to him My lord, it was not the standards that adored Jesus, but the soldiers who were holding them carelessly.
holding standards.
:

Pilate says to the ruler of the synagogue

:

Choose twelve

powerful men, and give them the standards, so that they hold them firmly.
as

may

And

this

having taken place, Pilate ordered

the officer to take Jesus outside, and bring

Him

in again.

And

coming in, the standards again bowed down, and But the Pilate therefore wondered greatly. adored Him. Jews said He is a magician, and through that he does these
:

He was

things.

testify against thee,
:

Hearest thou what these And Jesus and answerest thou not ? ^ answered and said Every man has power to speak either good or bad, as he wishes these also, therefore, having power, say

Chap.

2.

— Pilate

says to Jesus

:

;

what they wish.® The Jews said
First, that

to Him What have we to say about thee ? thou wast begotten from sin second, that on account of thee, when thou wast born, the infants * were mur:

;

1

Instead of these four sections, MS.

C

has a minute account of the suicide of

Judas, of which the following specimen

may

he given

:

—And
:

he went home to

make
coals.

a halter to hang himself, and he foimd his wife roasting a cock on the

And
?

he says to her

:

Rise, wife,

to

hang myself,
etc.
,

as I deserve.

like that

And
:

Judas says

:

and get a rope ready for me for I mean And his wife said to him Why do you speak Know in truth that I unjustly betrayed my
; ;

and woe to us is going to rise on the third day not speak or think in that way. It is just as likely as that this cock roasting on the coals will crow, that Jesus will rise, as you say.
Master,

and that he

And

his wife says

Do

No
*

sooner said than the cock flapped his wings, and crew thrice.

This decided
xix. 11.

Judas, and he immediately

made the

halter,

Matt, xxvii. 13,

14.
;

and hanged himself. 3 cf. John

*

MS. A, 14,000 infants

B, 44,000 infants.

152
dered

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
;

third, that

thy father and thy mother

fled into

Egypt,

because they had no confidence in the people.

To
lor

these the

Jews who were there
:

present, God-fearing
is

men,

answered and said

We

say that his birth

not from sin

we know that Joseph received into keeping his mother Pilate said: Mary, according to the practice of betrothal. Consequently you lie who say that his birth is from sin. They say again to Pilate All the people testify that he is a magician. The God-fearing Jews answered and said We also were at the betrothal of his mother, and we are Jews, and know all his daily life but that he is a magician, that we do not know. And the Jews that thus said were these Lazarus, Astharii^p, Antonius, James, Zaras, Samuel, Isaac, Phinees, Crispus, Dagrippus, Amese, and Judas. Pilate therefore says to them By the life of Csesar, I wish you to swear whether the birth of this man is without sin. They answered Our law lays down that we are to swear not at all, because an oath is great sin. Notwithstanding, by the life of Caesar we swear that his birth is without sin and if we lie, order us all to be beheaded. And when they had thus spoken, the Jews that were bringing the charge answered Pilate, and said And dost thou believe these twelve single Jews more than all the multitude and us, who know for certain that he is a magician and blasphemer, and that he names himself Son of
: :

;

:

:

:

;

:

God?
Then
Pilate ordered

them

all to

go forth out of the praetorium
to this

except the said twelve alone.
Pilate says to

this had been done, man, it appears that from envy and madness the Jews wish to murder him for of one thing that he does away with the Sabbath they accuse him but he then does a good work, because he cures the sick. For this, sentence of death is not upon the man. The twelve

And when

them

privately

:

As

:

—

—

;

also say to

him

:

Assuredly,

my

lord, it is so.

Chap.
says to

3. Pilate therefore went outside in rage and anger, and Annas and Caiaphas, and to the crowd who brought

—

Jesus

no fault in this were not a sorcerer, and a magician, and a blasphemer, we should not have brought him
:

I take the sun to witness that I find

man.

The crowd answered

:

If he

THE GOSPEL OF NICODEMUS.
to

153

Try him yourselves and since The Jews said Our law Pilate says permits to put no man to death.^ If you are unwilling to put him to death, how much more am I Then Pilate returned to the palace, and says to Jesus Tell me, art thou the king of the Jews ? Jesus answered Dost thou say this, or have the other Jews said this to thee, that
your highness.
Pilate said
:

;

you have a law, do

as your

law

says.

:

:

:

:

thou mightst question
that I

me
I

?

Pilate said

:

am

a

Hebrew

?

am

not a Hebrew.

Thou dost not think Thy people and

the chief priests have delivered thee into

my hands
:

;

and

tell

me if thou art king dom is not of this
world,

of the

Jews
;

?

Jesus answered

My king-

world for if my kingdom were in this would not be unconcerned at my being seized: wherefore my kingdom is not in this world. Pilate says But art thou a king ? Jesus said Thou hast said for this was I born, to bear witness to the truth and if any one be a man of the truth, he believes my word, and does it. Pilate says What is the truth ? ^ Jesus answered The truth is from the heavens. Pilate says On earth, then, is there no truth ? Christ says I am the truth and how is the truth judged on earth by those that have earthly power

my

soldiers

:

:

:

;

:

:

:

•

:

;

4. Pilate therefore, leaving Christ alone, went outand says to the Jews I find no fault in this man. The Jews answered Let us tell your highness what he said. He said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and in three days to build it. Pilate says And what temple did he say that he was to destroy? The Hebrews say: The temple of Solomon, which Solomon built in forty-six years.^ Pilate says privately to the chief priests and the scribes and the Pharisees I entreat you, do nothing evil against this man for if you do evil against him, you will do unjustly for it is not just that such a man should die, who has done great good They said to Pilate If, my lord, he who has to many men. dishonoured Ceesar is worthy of death, how much more this [man] who dishonours God Then Pilate dismissed them, and they aU went outside. Thereupon he says to Jesus What dost thou wish that I

Chap.

—

side,

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

'

John

xix. 6, 7.

^

John

xviii.

33-38.

^

cf. Jolin

ii.

20.

154

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
?

shall do to thee

Jesus says to Pilate
:

:

Do
?

to

me

as is deter:

mined.

Pilate says

How

is it

determined

Jesus answered

Moses and the prophets wrote about me being crucified, and rising again. The Hebrews, hearing [this], said to Pilate Why do you seek to hear a greater insult out of him against God ? These words are not an insult against God, since Pilate says they are written in the books of the prophets. The Hebrews said Our Scripture says. If a man offend against a man, that is to say, if he insult him, he is worthy to receive forty strokes with a rod but if any one insult God, to be stoned.^ Then came a messenger from Procle, the wife of Pilate, to him and the message said Take care that thou do not agree that any evil should happen to Jesus the good man because during this night I have seen fearful dreams on account of him.^ And Pilate spoke to the Hebrews, saying If you hold as insult against God the words which you declare Jesus to have spoken, take and judge him yourselves according to your The Jews said to Pilate We wish that you should law.*
:
:

:

;

;

:

;

:

:

crucify him.

Pilate says

:

This

is

not good.

And

Pilate, turning
it

towards the people, saw

many

weeping,

seems that it is not the wish of all the people that this man should die. The priests and the scribes say We on this account have brought all the people, that thou mightst have full conviction that aU wish his death. Pilate says For what evil hath he done ? The Hebrews said He says that he is a king, and the Son of God.
:

and said: To me

:

:

Chap. 5. A God-fearing Jew, therefore, Nicodemus by I entreat name, stood up in the midst, and said to Pilate your highness to permit me to say a few words. Say on, said
:

—

Pilate.

said to the priests,

people.

Nicodemus says I, being present in the synagogue, and the Levites, and the scribes, and the What have you to say against this man ? This man
:

does
do.

miracles, such as man has never yet done nor will Let him go, therefore; and if indeed what he does be from God, it will stand but if from man, it will be destroyed.* Just as happened also when God sent Moses into Egypt, and

many

;

1

Deut. XXV. 3

;

Lev. xxiv. 16.

»

Matt, xxvii. 19.

»

John

xviii. 31.

* Cf.

Acts

v. 38.

THE GOSPEL OF NICODEMUS.
Pharaoli king of Egypt told

155

Then Pharaoh had

and they also such as Moses did.^ And the Egyptians held these magicians but because they were not from God, what they to be gods This Jesus, then, raised up Lazarus, and did was destroyed.
;

him to do a miracle, and he did it. two magicians, Jannes and Jambres did miracles by the use of magic art, but not
also

On this account I entreat thee, my lord, by no is aKve, means to allow this man to be put to death. The Hebrews were enraged against Nicodemus, and said Mayst thou receive the truth of Jesus, and have a portion with him. Nicodemus says Amen, amen be it to me as you say.
he
:

;

Nicodemus had thus spoken, another and said to Pilate I beg of thee, my lord Pilate, hear me also. Pilate answered Say what thou wishest. The Hebrew says I lay sick in bed thirty-eight years and when he saw me he was grieved, and said to me, Eise, take up thy couch, and go into thine house. And while he was The saying the word to me, I rose and walked about. Hebrews say: Ask him on what day of the week this happened. He says On Sabbath.^ The Jews said And consequently we say truly, that he does not keep the Sabbath. Another, again, standing in the midst, said I was born blind and as Jesus was going along the road, I cried to him, saying. Have mercy upon me. Lord, thou son of David. And he took clay, and anointed mine eyes and straightway I received my sight.'* Another said I was crooked and seeing him, I cried. Have mercy upon me, Lord. And he took me by the hand, and I was immediately raised.* Another said I was a leper, and he healed me merely by a word.*
Chap.
6.

—And when
:

Hebrew

rose up,

:

:

;

:

:

:

;

;

:

;

:

Chap.
blood,

7.

—There

was found there

also

a

woman named

Veronica, and she said: Twelve years I was in an issue of
directly I

and I only touched the edge of his garment, and was cured.^ The Jews say: Our law does not

admit the testimony of a woman.''
1

Ex.
Cf.

vii.

10-14.
iii.

2

Acts

7.

6

John Luke

v. 5-9.

^

John
Matt.

ix. 6, 7.
ix.

xvii.

11-19.

«

20-22.

^

See note, p.

131

156

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
8.

Chap.

— Other men

cried

:

This

man

is
:

a prophet, and the

demons are demons not

afraid of him.

Pilate says

And how were
?

the

at all thus afraid of your parents also
:

They say

We

do not know. Others, again, said Lazarus, after having been four days in the tomb, he raised by a single word.^
Pilate therefore, hearing of the raising of Lazarus,

was

afraid,

and said
of a just

to the people

:

Why

do you wish to shed the blood

man
9.

?

the twelve do you say that I should do ? because the people are in commotion. They say AVe do not know do as thou wilt but what the people «do, they do unjustly, in order to kill him. Pilate again went out-

Chap.

—Then he
:

summoned Nicodemus and
:

God-fearing Jews, and said to them

What

;

You know that in the feasts of uncustomary that I free on your account one of the criminals kept in custody. I have, then, one malefactor
side,

and said

to the people
it is

:

leavened bread

in the prison, a robber

who

has never done any
I release to

named Barabbas. I have also Jesus, evil. Which of the two, then, do you
?
: :

us Barabbas.
:

The people answered Pielease to Wliat then shall I do with Jesus ? They say Let him be crucified.^ Again, others of them cried out If thou release Jesus, thou art no friend of Csesar,^ because he calls himseK Son of God, and king. And if thou free him, he becomes a king, and will take Ccesar's kingdom. Pilate therefore was enraged, and said Always has your nation been devilish * and unbelieving and ever have you been adversaries to your benefactors. The Hebrews say And who were our benefactors ? Pilate says God, who freed you
wish that

you

Pilate says

:

:

;

:

:

out of the hand of Pharaoh, and brought you through the Eed Sea as upon dry land, and fed you with quails, and gave you water to drink out of the dry rock, and who gave you a law,
wliich,

denying God, you broke and if Moses had not stood and entreated God, you would have perished by a bitter death. All these, then, you have forgotten. Thus also, even now, you say that I do not at all love Csesar, but hate him, and wish to plot against his kingdom.
; "

»

John Johu

xi. 43.
xi.\.

s

Matt, xxvii. 15-18, 21-23.
Or, slanderous.

12.

THE GOSPEL OF NICODEMUS.
And
anger, wishing to flee from them.
out, saying
:

157

having thus spoken, Pilate rose np from the throne with

The Jews

therefore cried

wish Csesar to be king over us, not Jesus, beAnd Herod also cause Jesus received gifts ^ from the magi. heard this that there was going to be a king and wished to put him to death, and for this purpose sent and put to death And on this account all the infants that were in Betlilehem. also his father Joseph and his mother fled from fear of him

We

—

—

into Egypt.^

This, then,

So then Pilate, hearing [this], silenced all the people, and said is the Jesus whom Herod then sought that he might
:

put him to death ? They say to him Yes. Pilate therefore, having ascertained that he was of the jurisdiction of Herod, as being derived of the race of the Jews, sent Jesus to him. And Herod, seeing Him, rejoiced greatly, because he had been long
desiring to see

Him, hearing

of the miracles

which

He

did.

He

put on Him, therefore, white garments. Then he began to question Him. But Jesus did not give him an answer. And Herod, wishing to see also some miracle or other done by Jesus, and
not seeing
word, sent
ordered his
it,

and

also because

He

did not answer
Pilate.'

him

a single

Him

back again to

Pilate, seeing this,

officers to bring water. Washing, then, his hands with the water, he said to the people I am innocent of the blood of this good man. See you to it, that he is unjustly put to death, since neither I have found a tault in him, nor Herod for because of this he has sent him back again to me. The
:

Jews said His blood be upon us, and upon our children.* Then Pilate sat down upon his throne to pass sentence. He gave order, therefore, and Jesus came before him. And they brought a crown of thorns, and put it on His head, and a reed into His right hand.^ Then he passed sentence, and said to Him: Thy nation says, and testifies against thee, that thou
:

wishest to be a king.
thee
'

Therefore I decree that they shall beat
ot the

first

with a rod forty strokes, as the laws
here, x"'?"H''^i is used in the

kings

graces bestowed

New Testament only of gifts and by God, and specially of the miracidous gifts imparted to the early Christians by the Holy Ghost. The word in Matt. ii. 11 is lupa. 2 Matt. ii. 14-16. 3 Luke xxiii. 6-11. * Matt, xxvii. 25. * John xis. 2, 3 Matt, xxvii. 29.
The word
;

158
decree,

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
and that they
shall

mock

thee

;

and

finally,

that they

shall crucify thee.

Chap.

10.

— The
with His

sentence to this

effect, then,

having been

passed by Pilate, the Jews began to strike Jesus, some with
rods, others
[their] hands, others
face.
it

with [their] feet
to take the road.

;

some

also spat in

Immediately, therefore, they got ready
to

the cross, and gave

Him, and flew

And

thus going along, bearing also the cross,
gate of the city of Jerusalem.

He came

as far as the

But as He, from the many was imable to walk, the Jews, out of the eager desire they had to crucify Him as quickly as possible, took the cross from Him, and gave it to a man that met them, Simon by name, who had also two sons, Alexander and Eufus. And he was from the city of Cyrene.-^ They gave the cross, then, to him, not because they pitied Jesus, and wished to lighten Him of the weight, but because
blows and the weight of the
cross,

they eagerly desired, as has been said, to put Him to death more speedily. Of His disciples, therefore, John followed Him there. Then he came fleeing to the mother of God,^ and said to her Where hast thou been, that thou hast not come to see what has happened ? She answered What is it that has happened ? John says Know that the Jews have laid hold of my Master, and Hearing this, His are taking Him away to crucify Him. mother cried out with a loud voice, saying My son, my son, what evil then hast thou done, that^ they are taking thee away to crucify thee ? And she rose up as if blinded,* and goes
:

:

:

:

along the road weeping.

And women

followed her

—Martha,

and Mary Magdalene, and Salome, and other virgins. And John also was with her. When, therefore, they came to the multitude of the crowd, the mother of God says to John: Where is my son ? John says Seest thou Him bearing the
:

'

Mark

xv. 21.

used several times by Athanasius (died 373), e.g. in Orat. The refusal of Nestorius to give this epithet to c. 14 and 29. commencement, in 428, of the long struggle between the rival sees of Constantinople and Alexandria. See Haag, Hlstoire des Dogmes Chrdilens, i. 190. The paragraphs about the eioToxos in this chapter are interpolations.
^
iii.

BiorUos

— a -word

Contra Arianos,
tlie

Mary was

3 Lit.,

and,

4

Lit

darkened.

THE GOSPEL OF NICODEMUS.

loO

crown of thorns, and having His hands bound? And the mother of God, hearing this, and seeing Him, fainted, and fell backwards to the ground, and lay a considerable time. And the women, as many as followed her, stood round her, and wept. And as soon as she revived and rose up, she cried out with a loud voice My Lord, my son, where has the beauty of
:

thy form sunk
things
?

?

how

shall I

endure to see thee suffering such

thus saying, she tore her face Math her nails, and beat her breast. Where are they gone, said she, the good deeds which thou didst in Judea ? What evil hast thou done to the

And

Jews ? The Jews, then, seeing her thus lamenting and crying, came and drove her from the road but she would not flee, but
;

remained, saying Kill me first, ye lawless Jews. Then they got safe to the place called Cranium, which was paved with stone ;^ and there the Jews set up the cross. Then they stripped Jesus, and the soldiers took His garments, and
:

tattered robe of scarlet,

and they put on Him a and raised Him, and drew Him up on After this they brought the cross at the sixth hour of the day. also two robbers, the one on His right, the other on His left. Then the mother of God, standing and looking, cried out
divided

them among themselves

;

with a loud voice, saying
ing to her, and seeing
rest of the w^omen, said

:

My

son

!

my
her,

son

!

And

Jesus, turn-

John near
:

and weeping with the
!

to

Then He says also Behold thy son Behold thy mother ? And she wept much, saying For this I weep, my son, because thou sufferest unjustly, because the lawless Jews have delivered thee to a bitter death.
John
:

:

Without

thee,

my

son,
?

what

will

become of me

?

How

shall I

live without thee

spend ? Where are thy disciples, who boasted that they would die with thee ? Where those healed by thee ? How has no one been found to

What

sort of life shall I

help thee

?

cross, that I

And looking to the cross, she said Bend down, may embrace and kiss my son, whom I suckled
:

at these breasts after a strange manner, as not having

man.
son.

like

known Bend down, cross; I wish to throw my arms round my cross, that I may bid farewell to my son Bend down, The Jews, hearing these words, came forward, a mother.
to a distance both her

and drove
'

and the women and John.
*

A mistaken reference to John xix,

13.

John

xix. 26, 27.

160

TEE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
cried out with a loud voice, saying
;
:

Then Jesus
do.^

Father, let

not this sin stand against them

for

they

know not what they

Then He says

:

I thirst.

And

immediately there ran one

it with gall and on a reed, and gave Jesus to drink. And having tasted it. He would not drink it.^ And the Jews standing and looking on laughed at Him, and said: If thou truly sayst that thou art the Son of God, come down from the Others cross, and immediately, that we may believe in thee. Others he saved, others he cured, and he healed said, mocking

of the soldiers, and took a sponge, and filled
it

vinegar mixed, and put

:

the sick, the paralytic, the lepers, the demoniacs, the blind, the

lame, the dead

and himself he cannot cure.^ In the same manner also, the robber crucified on His left hand said to Him If thou art the Son of God, come down and save both thyself and us. His name was Gistas. And he that was crucified on the right, Dysmas by name, reproved that robber, saying wretched and miserable man, dost thou not fear God ? We suffer the due punishment of M^hat we have done but this man has done no evil at all. And turning to Jesus, he says to Him Lord, when Thou shalt reign, do not
;
: :

;

:

forget me.
shall

And He

said to

him

:

To-day, I

tell

thee truth, I

have thee in paradise with me.*
11.

Chap,
into

—Then Jesus, crying out with a loud
I shall

voice, Father,
last.*

Thy hands

commit

my

spirit,

breathed His
:

And

immediately one could see the rocks rent for there was an earthquake over aU the earth; and from the earthquake being violent and great, the rocks also were rent. And the

tombs of the dead were opened, and the curtain of the temple was rent, and there was darkness from the sixth hour till the ninth. And from all these things that had happened the Jews were afraid, and said: Certainly this was a just man. And Longinus, the centurion who stood by, said Truly this was a son of God. Others coming and seeing Him, beat their breasts from fear, and again turned back.^
:

1

Luke

3 Cf.
*

xxiii. 34 cf. Acts Matt, xxvii. 40-42.
;

vii.

60,

2

John

xix. 28

;

Matt, xxvii. 48,

6

Luke xxiii. 39-43, MS. C here Luke xxiii. 46.

inserts the early history of the robber
e

Dysmas.

cf_ Lyj^g xxiii, 44-49.

THE GOSPEL OF NICODEMUS.
And
tlie

161
so

centurion having perceived

all

these

great

went away and reported them to Pilate. And when he heard, he wondered and was astonished, and from his fear and grief would neither eat nor drink that day. And he sent notice, and all the Sanhedrim came to him as soon as the darkness was past and he said to the people You know how the sun has been darkened; you know how the curtain has been Certainly I did well in being by no means willing to rent.
miracles,
;
:

And the malefactors said to put to death the good man. Pilate This darkness is an eclipse of the sun, such as has happened also at other times. Then they say to him We hold the feast of unleavened bread to-morrow; and we entreat thee,
:

:

since

the crucified are

still

breathing, tliat their bones be
Pilate said
:

broken, and that they be brought down.

It shall

be

and they found the two robbers yet breathing, and they broke their legs but finding
so.

He

therefore sent soldiers,

;

Jesus dead, they did not touch Him at all, except that a soldier speared Him in the right side, and immediately there came
forth blood

and water.^

And
finding

as the [day of the] preparation

was drawing towards
his

evening, Joseph, a

man

well-born and rich, a God-fearing Jew,
foregoing

Nicodemus, whose sentiments
to

speech

had shown, says when living, and
fighting with the

him

:

I

know

that thou didst love Jesus

didst gladly hear his words,

Jews on

his account.

If,

then,

and I saw thee it seem good
I

to thee, let us go to Pilate,

and beg the body

of Jesus for burial,

because

it is

a great sin for

him

to lie unburied.

am

afraid,

and some evil should befall me. But if thou wilt go alone, and beg the dead, and take him, then will I also go with thee, and help thee to do everything necessary for the burial. Nicodemus having thus spoken, Joseph directed his eyes to heaven, and prayed that he might not fail in his request; and he went away to Pilate, and having saluted him, sat down. Then he says to him I entreat thee, my lord, not to be angry with me, if I shall ask anything And he said contrary to what seems good to your highness. And what is it that thou askest ? Joseph says Jesus, the good man whom through hatred the Jews have taken away to
said Nicodemus, lest Pilate should be enraged,
: :

•

John

xix. 31-34.

L

162

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
thou give

crucify, liim I entreat that

me

for burial.

Pilate

says

:

And what

has happened, that

we should

deliver to be

honoured again the dead body of him against whom e"<^idence of sorcery was brought by his nation, and who was in suspicion of taking the kingdom of Csesar, and so was given up by us to death ? And Joseph, weeping and in great grief, fell at the feet of Pilate, saying My lord, let no hatred fall upon a dead man for all the evil that a man has done should perish with him in his death. And I know your highness, how eager thou wast that Jesus should not be crucified, and how much thou saidst to the Jews on his behalf, now in entreaty and again in anger, and at last how thou didst wash thy hands, and declare that thou wouldst by no means take part with those who wished him to be put to death for all which [rea:

;

;

sons] I entreat thee not to refuse
fore, seeing

my

request.

Pilate, there-

Joseph thus lying, and supplicating, and weeping, raised him up, and said Go, I grant thee this dead man take him, and do whatever thou wilt. And then Joseph, having thanked Pilate, and kissed his hands and his garments, went forth, rejoicing indeed in heart as having obtained his desire, but carrying tears in his eyes. Thus also, Accordingly he goes away to though grieved, he was glad. Nicodemus, and discloses to him all that had happened. Then, having bought myrrh and aloes a hundred pounds, and a new tomb,^ they, along with the mother of God and Mary Magdalene and Salome, along with John, and the rest of the women, did what was customary for the body with white linen, and
:

;

placed

it

in the tomb.^

And
nails
?

the mother of

lament thee,
This
to

my

son

?

is that,

God said, weeping How am I not to How should I not tear my face with my my son, which Symeon the elder foretold
:

me when

I brought thee, an infant of forty days old, into

the temple.
soul.^

This
shall

Who
all

is the sword which now goes through my put a stop to my tears, my sweetest son ?
if,

No

one at

except thyself alone,
said,

as

thou

saidst,

thou

slialt

rise again in three days.

Mary Magdalene
•

tongues, and learn to
Cf.

weeping Hear, peoples, tribes, and what death the lawless Jews have de:

enshroud thee ? How shall I entomb thee ? There should now have been here those whom thou fedst with a few loaves for thus should I not have seemed to fail in what

How

shall

I

;

is

due.

Then Joseph, along with Mcodemus, went home
present with them.

;

and hke-

wise also the mother of God, with the women, John ^ also being

Chap.

1 2.

—When the Jews were made acquainted with these
by Joseph and Nicodemus, they were greatly stirred And the chief priests Annas and Caiaphas
: :

things done

up

against them.

Why hast thou done this service to Joseph says I know that Jesus was a man just, and and I know also that you, true, and good in all respects through hatred, managed to murder him and therefore I buried him. Then the high priests were enraged, and laid hold of If we Joseph, and threw him into prison, and said to him had not to-morrow the feast of unleavened bread, to-morrow but being also should we have put thee, like him, to death kept in the meantime, early in the morning of the Lord's day^ thou shalt be given up to death. Thus they spoke, and affixed their seal to the prison, having secured it by fastenings of all
sent for Joseph, and said

Jesus

?

;

:

:

;

sorts.

Thus, therefore,

when

the preparation was ended, early on

the Sabbath the Jews went

away

to Pilate,

and said

to

him

My lord,
again.

that deceiver said, that after three days he should rise

Lest, therefore, his disciples should steal him by night, and lead the people astray by such deceit, order his tomb to be guarded. Pilate therefore, upon this, gave them five hundred
1

this
*

It is to be observed that John's Gospel book than any of the others. Observe the anachronism.

is

mucli more freriueutly quoted in

164
soldiers,

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.

who also sat round the sepulchre so as to guard it, having put seals upon the stone of the tomb.^ The Lord's day, then, having dawned, the chief priests, along with the Jews, called a council, and sent to take Joseph out of the prison, in order to put him to death. But having opened
after
it,

they found him not. And they were astonished at this how, with the doors shut, and the bolts safe, and the seals unbroken,

—

Joseph had disappeared.
Chap.
1 3.

—And upon

this there

came up one

of the soldiers
:

guarding the tomb, and he said in the synagogue
:

Learn that
:

Jesus has risen. The Jews say How ? And he said First there was an earthquake then an angel of the Lord, clothed
;

with lightning, came from heaven, and rolled the stone from the tomb, and sat upon it. And from fear of him, all of us soldiers became as dead, and were able neither to flee nor speak. And we heard the angels saying to the women who came there to

you seek you before. Bend down and see the tomb where His body lay but go and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and let them go into Galilee, for there shall they find Him. For this reason I tell you this first.^ The Jews say to the soldiers What sort of women were they who came to the tomb ? and why did you not lay hold of them ? The soldiers say From the fear and tlie mere sight of the angel, we were able neither to speak nor move. The Jews said As the God of Israel liveth, we do not believe a word you The soldiers say Jesus did so great wonders, and you say. believed not, and are you going to believe us ? You say truly that God liveth; and certainly he whom you crucified tridy liveth. But we have heard that you had Joseph shut up in the prison, and that you afterwards opened the doors, and did not find him. Do you then present Joseph, and so we also shall present Jesus. The Jews say Joseph, that fled from the prison, you will find in Arimathea, his own country. And the soldiers say Go you too into Galilee, and you will find Jesus, as the angel said to the women.
see the
:

tomb

Be not you

afraid, for I
is

know

that

Jesus.

He

is

not here, but

risen, as

He

told

;

:

:

:

:

:

:

1

JMutt. xxvii. 62-66.

*

Matt, xxviii. 1-8.

THE GOSPEL OF NICODEMUS.
At
these [words] the
:

165
to the

Jews were

afraid,

and said

soldiers

See that you

tell

this story to nobody, or all will

believe in Jesus.

And

for this reason
:

they gave them also
kill

much money. And
us.

the soldiers said

We are afraid lest by any

chance Pilate hear that w^e have taken money, and he will

and we pledge ourselves Only say that that we shall speak to Pilate in your defence. you were asleep, and in your slumber the disciples of Jesus vjame and stole him from the tomb. The soldiers therefore took the money, and said as they were bid. And up to this day this same lying tale is told among the Jews,^

And

the Jews said

:

Take

it

;

Chap. 14. And a few days after there came from Galilee to Jerusalem three men. One of them was a priest, by name Phinees the second a Levite, by name Aggai and the third a These came to the chief priests, and soldier, by name Adas. said to them and to the people Jesus, whom you crucified, we have seen in Galilee with his eleven disciples upon the Mount of Olives, teaching them, and saying. Go into all the world, and proclaim the good news and whosoever will believe and but whosoever will not believe be baptized shall be saved And having thus spoken, he went up shall be condemned. And both we and many others of the five huninto heaven.^
; ;
:

—

;

;

dred

^

besides were looking on.

And when

the chief priests and the Jews heard these things,
:

repent of these

Give glory to the God of Israel, and you have told. They answered As the God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob liveth, we do not lie, but tell you the truth. Then the high priest spoke, and they brought the old [covenant] of the Hebrews out of the temple, and he made them swear, and giving them also money, he sent them into another place, in order that they might not proclaim in Jerusalem the resurrection of Christ.
they said to these three
lies

that

:

And Avhen these stories had been heard by all the people, the crowd came together into the temple, and there was a great commotion. For many said Jesus has risen from the dead, as we hear, and why did you crucify him ? And Annas and Caiaphas said Do not believe, ye Jews, what the soldiers say
: :

1

Matt, xxviii. 11-15.

«

Mark

xvi. IG.

3 j

Cor. xv. 6.

166

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.

heaven.

and do not believe that tliey saw an angel coming down from For we have given money to the soldiers, in order that they should not tell such tales to any one and thus also have the disciples of Jesus given them money, in order that they should say that Jesus has risen from the dead.
;

Chap.

15.

—Nicodemus
;

says:

O

children of the inhabitants

of Jerusalem, the prophet Helias

went up

into the height of
if

heaven with a
too has risen

fiery chariot,

and

it is

nothing incredible

Jesus

was a prototype of Jesus, in order that you, hearing that Jesus has risen, might not dis1 therefore say and advise, that it is befitting that we believe. send soldiers into Galilee, to that place where these men testify that they saw him with his disciples, in order that they may go round about and find him, and that thus we may ask pardon of him for the evil which we have done to him. This proposal pleased them; and they chose soldiers, and sent them away
for the prophet Helias

into Galilee.

And

Jesus indeed they did not find

;

but they
priests,

found Joseph in Arimathea,

When,
together,

therefore, the soldiers

had returned, the chief

having ascertained that Joseph was found, brought the people

and said

:

What

shall

we do

to get

Joseph to come

to

us

?

After deliberating, therefore, they wrote to
:

him a

letter to the following effect

—

father Joseph, peace [be] to
!

thee and

all thy house, and thy friends We know that we have offended against God, and against thee His servant. On account of this, we entreat thee to come here to us thy chilFor we have wondered much how thou didst escape dren. from the prison, and we say in truth that we had an evil design against thee. But God, seeing that our designs against thee were unjust, has delivered thee out of our hands. But come to us, for thou art the honour of our people. This letter the Jews sent to Arimathea, with seven soldiers, And they went away and found him and friends of Joseph. having respectfully saluted him, as they had been ordered, they gave him the letter. And after receiving it and reading it, he glorified God, and embraced the soldiers and having set a table, ate and drank with them during all the day and the night. And on the following day he set out with them to Jeru; ;

THE GOSPEL OF NICODEMUS.
salem
him.
;

167

and the people came

forth to

meet him, and embraced

And Mcodemus
after,

received

him

into his

own

house.

And

the day

Annas and Caiaphas, the chief priests, having summoned him to the temple, said to him Give glory to the
:

God

of Israel,

and
;

tell

us the truth.

For we know that thou

didst bury Jesus

and on this account we laid hold of thee, and locked thee up in the prison. Thereafter, when we sought

to bring thee out to be put to death,

we

did not find thee,

Moreover, we and we were greatly astonished and afraid. prayed to God that we might find thee, and ask thee. Tell
us therefore the truth.

Joseph said to them: In the evening of the preparation, secured me in prison, I fell a-praying throughout the whole night, and throughout the whole day of the Sabbath. And at midnight I see the prison-house that four angels

when you

lifted it

And Jesus up,^ holding it by the four corners. came in like lightning, and I fell to the ground from fear. Taking hold of me, therefore, by the hand, he raised me, sayFear not, Joseph. Thereafter, embracing me, he kissed me, and said. Turn thyself, and see who I am. Turning myself, therefore, and looking, I said. My lord, I know not who thou art. He says, I am Jesus, whom thou didst bury the day before yesterday. I say to him, Show me the tomb, and then I shall believe. He took me, therefore, by the hand, and led me away to the tomb, which had been opened. And seeing the linen and the napkin, and recognising him, I said. Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord;^ and I adored him. Then taking me by the hand, and accompanied by the angels, he brought me to my house in Arimathea, and said to me. Sit here for forty days for I go to my disciples, in order that I may enable them fully to proclaim my resurrection.
ing,
;

Chap.

1 6.

—When Joseph had thus spoken, the chief
:

priests

cried out to the people

We

know
:

that Jesus had a father and

mother

;

how can

w^e believe that

he

is

the Christ

?

One

of

the Levites answered and said
1 Iff'tKOKrav,
cvtxovca.

I

know

the family of Jesus,
aorist of

which should be
26
:

Ufixuffav, is a

modern Greek word, the

2

Ps. cxviii.

Matt. xxi.

9.

168

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.

noble-minded men/ great servants of God; and receiving tithes And I know also Symeon the from the people of the Jews. elder, that he received him when he was an infant, and said
to

Lord. him Now thou sendest away Thy servant, The Jews said Let ns now find the three men that saw him on the Mount of Olives, that we may question them, and learn They found them, and brought the truth more accurately. them before all, and made them swear to tell the truth. And they said As the God of Israel liveth, we saw Jesus alive on the Mount of Olives, and going up into heaven. Then Annas and Caiaphas took the three apart, one by one, and questioned them singly in private. They agreed with one another, therefore, and gave, even the three, one account. The chief priests answered, saying Our Scripture says that every word shall be established by two or three witnesses.^ Joseph,
:

:

:

:

then, has confessed that he, along with Nicodemus, attended
to his body,

and buried him, and how

it is

the truth that he

has
'

risen.*

Or, literally,

men
?

3

This

last clause

^ Deut. of good family. would be better as a question
:

xix.

15

;

Matt,
is it

xviii. 16.

And how

the truth

that he has risen

THE GOSPEL OF NICODEMUS.
PAET
II.—THE

DESCENT OF CHEIST INTO HELL.
GREEK FORM.

CHAPTER
jjOSEPH says
has risen
?
:

I

(17.)

And why
But
it is

do you wonder tliat Jesus wonderful that He has not

risen alone, but that

of the dead,

many.^

And

if

He has also raised many others who have appeared in Jerusalem to you do not know the others, Symeon at least,
;

whom Jle has raised up you know. Eor we buried them not long ago but now their tombs are seen open [and] empty, and they are They therefore sent men, alive, and dwelling in Arimathea. and they found their tombs open and empty. Joseph says Let us go to Arimathea and find them. Then rose up the chief priests Annas and Caiaphas, and Joseph, and Nicodemus, and Gamaliel, and others with them, and went away to Arimathea, and found those whom Joseph spoke of. They made prayer, therefore, and saluted each other. Then they came with them to Jerusalem, and brought them into the synagogue, and secured the doors, and placed in the midst the old [covenant] of the Jews and the chief priests said to them We wish you to swear by the God of Israel and Adonai, and so that you tell the truth, how you have risen, and who has raised you from the dead. The men who had risen having heard this, made upon their Give faces the sign of the cross, and said to the chief priests

—them

who

received Jesus, and his two sons
at least

;

:

:

'

Matt, xxvii. 53.

169

170

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
sitting

us paper and ink and pen.

And

These therefore they brought. down, they wrote thus
:

Lord Jesus Christ, the resurrection and we may give an account of Thy resurrection, and Thy miracles which Thou didst in Hades. "We then were in Hades, with all who had fallen asleep since the beginning of the world. And at the hour of midnight there rose a light as if of the sun, and shone into these dark [regions] and we were all lighted up, and saw each other. And straightway our father Abraham was united with the patriarchs and the prophets, and at the same time they were filled with joy, and said to each other This light is from a great The prophet Hesaias, who was there present, source of light. said This light is from the Father, and from the Son, and from
Chap. 2
life

(18).

—

the

of the world, grant us grace that

;

:

:

the Holy Spirit;
saying.

about

whom

I

prophesied

when

yet alive,

and the land of Nephthalim, the people that sat in darkness, have seen a great light.-^ Then there came into the midst another, an ascetic from the desert and the patriarchs said to him AVlio art thou ? And he said I am John, the last of the prophets, who made the paths of the Son of God straight,^ and proclaimed to the people repentance for the remission of sins.^ And the Son of God came to me and I, seeing Him a long way off, said to the people Behold the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world.* And with my hand I baptized Him in the river Jordan, and I saw like a dove also the Holy Spirit coming upon Him;^ and I heard also the voice of God, even the Father,®
of Zabulon,
;
: : ; :

The land

thus saying: This
pleased.''

is

my

beloved Son, in

whom

I

am

well

And on

this account

He

sent

me
is

also to you, to pro-

claim

how

the only begotten Son of

God

whosoever shall believe in
shall not believe in

Him

shall be saved,

coming here, that and whosoever

Him

shall be

condemned.^

On this

account

I say to

you all, in order that when you see Him you all may adore Him, that now only is for you the time of repentance
1 Isa. ix.

1,2.
I

2 j^jatt. iii.

3.

3

Mark

i.

4.

«

John

i.

29.

^ « 8

Or

:

and

saw, as

it

were, a dove and the

Holy

Spirit, etc.
7

Or, of

tlie

God and
;

Father.
iii.

Luke

iii.

22.

[Mark

xvi. IC]

John

18.

THE GOSPEL OF NICODEMUS.
for
sins

171

having adored idols in the vain upper world, and for the you have committed, and that this is impossible at any-

other time.

Chap. 3

(19).

—While
first
:

John, therefore, was thus teaching
created and forefather

those in Hades, the

Adam

heard,

wish thee to tell the forefathers of the race of men and the prophets where I sent thee, when it fell to my lot to die. And Seth said Prophets and
son, I
:

and

said to his son Seth

My

patriarchs, hear.

When my

father

Adam, the

first

created,

upon a time into death, he sent me to make entreaty to God very close by the gate of paradise, that He would guide me by an angel to the tree of compassion, and that I might take oil and anoint my father, and that he might rise up from his sickness which thing, therefore, I also did. And after the prayer an angel of the Lord came, and said to me What, Seth, dost thou ask ? Dost thou ask oil which raiseth up the sick, or the tree from which this oil flows, on
to fall once
:
:

was about

account of the sickness of thy father ? This is not to be found now. Go, therefore, and tell thy father, that after the accomplishing of five thousand five hundred years ^ from the creation of the world, then shall come into the earth the only begotten Son of God, being made man and He shall anoint him with this oil, and shall raise him up and shall wash clean, with water and with the Holy Spirit, both him and those out of him, and then shall he be healed of every disease but now
; ; ;

this is impossible.^

When

the patriarchs and the prophets heard these words,

they rejoiced greatly.

were in such joy, came Satan all-devouring and insatiable, hear my words. There is of the race of the Jews one named Jesus, calling himself the Son of God and being a man, by our working with them the Jews have crucified him and now when he is dead, be ready that we may secure him
(20).
all

Chap. 4

—And when

the heir of darkness, and said to Hades

:

;

'

5500
i.

B.C.
;

was the date commonly assigned to the creation.

See Clem.

Strom,
*

Tlieoph. Ant.

ad Autol.

iii.

;

of.

Just. Apol. xxxix.

For this legend,

see the Eevelatiou of Moses.

172
here.
ing,

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
For I know that he
is

a man, and I heard

him

also say-

My

soul

is

exceeding sorrowful, even unto death.^
evils

He

has also done

me many

when

living with mortals in the

For wherever he found my servants, he perseand whatever men I made crooked, blind, lame, lepers, or any such thing, by a single word he healed them and many whom I had got ready to be buried, even these through a single word he brought to life again. Hades says And is this [man] so powerful as to do such things by a single word ? or if he be so, canst thou withstand him ? It seems to me that, if he be so, no one will be able to withstand him. And if thou sayest that thou didst hear him dreading death, he said this mocking thee, and laughing, wishing to seize thee with the strong hand and woe, woe to thee,
upper world.
cuted them
;
:

;

to all eternity

Satan says
of him, but

:

all-devouring and insatiable Hades, art thou

so afraid at hearing of our

common enemy ?

I

was not

afraid

worked in the Jews, and they

crucified him,

and

gave him also to drink gall with vinegar.^
in order that

]\Iake ready, then,

you may lay fast hold of him when he comes. Hades answered: Heir of darkness, son of destruction, devil,

thou hast just now told me that many whom thou hadst made ready to be buried, he brought to life again by a single word. And if he has delivered others from the tomb, how and with

what power

he be laid hold of by us ? For I not long dead, Lazarus by name and not long after, one of the living by a single word dragged him up by force out of my bowels and I think that it was he of whom thou speakest. If, therefore, we receive him here, I am afraid lest percliance we be in danger even about the rest. For, lo, all those that I have swallowed from eternity I perceive to be in commotion, and I am pained in my belly. And the snatching away of Lazarus beforehand seems to me to be no good sign for not like a dead body, but like an eagle, he flew out of me for so suddenly did the earth throw him out. Wherefore also I adjure even thee, for thy benefit and for mine, not to bring him here for I think that he is coming here to raise
shall

ago swallowed

down one
:

;

:

;

;

all

the dead.
'

And

this I tell thee

:

by the darkness
*

in

which

ilaik XV. 34.

Matt, xxvii. 34.

THE GOSPEL OF NICODEMUS.
we
left
live, if

173

behind

thou bring him here, not one of the dead will be in it to me.
(21).

Chap. 5
to

—While

Satan and Hades were thus speaking

each other, there was a great voice like thunder, saying: ye rulers and be ye lifted up, ye everLift up your gates, and the King of glory shall come in.^ When lasting gates
; ;

Hades heard, he said to Satan Go forth, if thou art able, and withstand him. Satan therefore went forth to the outside. Then Hades says to his demons Secure well and strongly the gates of brass and the bars of iron, and attend to my bolts, and stand in order,^ and see to everything for if he come in here, woe will seize us. The forefathers having heard this, began all to revile him, all-devouring and insatiable open, that the King of saying glory may come in. David the prophet says Dost thou not blind, that I when living in the world prophesied this know, ye rulers ? Hesaias said I, foresaying Lift up your gates, seeing this by the Holy Spirit, wrote: The dead shall rise up, and those in -their tombs shall be raised, and those in the earth
:

:

;

:

!

:

:

:

shall rejoice.^

And

where,
^ ?

death, is thy sting

?

where,

Hades,

is

thy victory

There came, then, again a voice saying Lift up the gates. Hades, hearing the voice the second time, answered as if forsooth he did not know, and says Who is this king of glory ? The angels of the Lord say The Lord strong and mighty, the
: :
:

Lord mighty in
all

battle.^

And

immediately with these words

the brazen gates were shattered, and the iron bars broken, and the dead

we with

them.

who had been bound came out of the prisons, and And the King of glory came in in the form of
the dark places of Hades were lighted up.

a man, and

all

Chap. 6 (22). Immediately Hades cried out: We have But who art thou, that hast such been conquered woe to us power and might ? and what art thou, who comest here without sin, who art seen to be small and yet of great power, lowly and exalted, the slave and the master, the soldier and the king,
:
!

—

*

Ps. xxiv.

7.

^

Lit., erect.

3 Xg^.

xxvi. 19, according to the

LXX.

4

Hos.

xiii. 14.

^

p^. xxiv.

8.

174

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
hast power over the dead and the living?

who
free,

nailed on the cross, and placed in the tomb; and

Thou wast now thou art

and hast destroyed

all

our power.

Art thou then the
?

Jesus about
cross

whom

the chief satrap Satan told us, that through
art to inherit the

and death thou

whole world

Then the King

of glory seized the chief satrap Satan

by the

head, and delivered

His angels, and said: With iron chains bind his hands, and his feet, and his neck, and his mouth. Then He delivered him to Hades, and said Take him, and keep him secure till my second appearing.

him

to

:

Chap. 7

(23).

—And
fire

Beelzebul, heir of

Hades receiving Satan, said to him: and punishment, enemy of the saints,

through what necessity didst thou bring about that the King of glory should be crucified, so that he should come here and
deprive us [of our power]
?

Turn and
all

see that not one of the

dead has been
cross

left in

me, but
all

that thou hast gained through

the tree of knowledge,
:

hast thou lost through the tree of the

thy joy has .been turned into grief; and wishing to put to death the Ejng of glory, thou hast put thyself to death. For, since T have received thee to keep thee safe, by experi-

and

all

ence shalt thou learn how many evils I shall do unto thee. arch-devil, the beginning of death, root of sin, end of all evil,

thou find in Jesus, that thou shouldst compass how hast thou dared to do such evil ? how hast thou busied thyseK to bring down such a man into this darkness, through whom thou hast been deprived of all who

what

evil didst

his destruction

?

have died from eternity
Chap. 8
the
(24).

?

—^While
:

King

of glory stretched out His right hand,

of om' forefather

Hades was thus discoursing to Satan, and took hold Adam, and raised him. Then turning also to

the rest,

He

said

Come

all

with me, as
;

many

as

have died

through the tree which he touched

for,

behold, I again raise

you all up through the tree of the cross. Thereupon He brought them all out, and our forefather Adam seemed to be filled with joy, and said: I thank Thy majesty, Lord, that Thou hast brought me up out of the lowest Hades.^ Likewise also all
1

Ps. Ixxxvi. 13.

THE GOSPEL OF NICODEMUS.

175

thank Thee, Christ, the prophets and the saints said: Saviour of the world, that Thou hast brought our life up out of
destruction.^

We

And after they had thus spoken, the Saviour blessed Adam with the sign of the cross on his forehead, and did this also to the patriarchs, and prophets, and martyrs, and forefathers and He took them, and sprang up out of Hades. And while He was going, the holy fathers accompanying Him sang praises, saying: Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord :^ Alleluia
;

to

Him

be the glory of
(25).

all

the saints.

Chap. 9
the just, to

our forefather

And setting out to paradise. He took hold of Adam by the hand, and delivered him, and all the archangel Michael. And as they were going
met them two
are you,

—

into the door of paradise, there

old men, to

whom

who have not seen death, and have not come down into Hades, but who dwell One of them in paradise in your bodies and your souls? answered, and said: I am Enoch, who was well-pleasing to God, and who was translated hither by Him; and this is Helias the Thesbite; and we are also to live until the end and then we are to be sent by God to withof the world
the holy fathers said
:

Who

;

stand Antichrist, and to be slain by him, and after three days to rise again, and to be snatched up in clouds to meet the
Lord.^

Chap. 10 (26). While they were thus speaking, there came another lowly man, carrying also upon his shoulders a cross, to whom the holy fathers said Who art thou, who hast the look
:

—

and what is the cross which thou bearest upon thy shoulders ? He answered I, as you say, was a robber and a thief in the world, and for these tilings the Jews laid hold of me, and delivered me to the death of the cross, along with our Lord Jesus Christ. While, then. He was hanging vipon the cross, I, seeing the miracles that were done, believed in Him, and entreated Him, and said. Lord, when Thou shalt be King, do not forget me. And immediately He said to me. Amen, amen to-day, I say unto thee, shalt thou be with
of a robber;
:

:

1

Cf. Ps.

ciii.

4.

^Ps. cxviii. 26.

^l

Tliess. iv. 17

;

Rev,

xi.

3-12.

176

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
in paradise.
;

me

Therefore I came to paradise carrying

my

and finding the archangel Michael, I said to him, Our Lord Jesus, who has been crucified, has sent me here bring me, therefore, to the gate of Eden. And the flaming sword, seeing the sign of the cross, opened to me, and I went in. Then the archangel says to me. Wait a little, for there cometh also the forefather of the race of men, Adam, with the just, that they too may come in. And now, seeing you, I came to meet you. The saints hearing these things, all cried out with a loud voice Great is our Lord, and great is His strength.^
cross
;
:

Chap. 11

(27).

—All
also

these things

two

brothers,

who
first

we saw and heard; we, the have been sent by Michael the archto proclaim the resurrection of

angel,

and have been ordered
to go

the Lord, but

away

to the

Jordan and to be baptized.

Thither also
rest of the

we have gone, and have been baptized with the dead who have risen. Thereafter also we came to
celebrated the passover of the resurrection.
are going away, being unable to stay here.

Jerusalem, and

But now we

And

the love of God, even the Father, and the grace of our Lord

Jesus Christ, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.^ Having written these things, and secured the rolls, they gave the half to the chief priests, and the half to Joseph and Nico-

demus.

And
^

they immediately disappeared

:

to the glory of

our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ps. cxlvii. 5.

Amen.
2

2

Qqj._ j^jjj

j^^

THE GOSPEL OF NICODEMUS.
PAET I.— ACTS OF PILATE.
LATIN FORM.
•

^NEAS

was at first a protector of the Hebrews, and follower of the law; then the grace of the Saviour and His great gift took possession of me.
I recognised Christ Jesus in holy Scripture
;

I

came

to

Him, and embraced His

faith,

so that I

might become

worthy of His holy baptism. First of all I searched for the memoirs written in those times about our Lord Jesus Christ, which the Jews published in the age of Pontius Pilate, and we found them in Hebrew writings, drawn up in the age of the Lord Jesus Christ and I translated them into the language of the Gentiles, in the reign of the eminent Theodosius, who was fulfilling his seventeenth consulship, and of Valentinian, consul for the fifth time in the ninth indiction. Whosoever of you read this book, and transfer it to other copies, remember me, and pray for me, ^Eneas, least of the servants of God, that He be merciful to me, and pardon my sins which I have committed against Him. Peace be to all who shall read these, and
;

to all their house, for ever

!

Amen.

Now

it

came

to pass, in the nineteenth year of the reign of

Tiberius Csesar, emperor of the Eomans, and of Herod, son of

Herod king
fifth

of Galilee, in the nineteenth year of his rule, on
is

the eighth day before the kalends of April, which

the twenty-

day of the month of March, in the consulship of Eufinus and Eubellio, in the fourth year of the 2 02d. Olympiad, under the rule of Joseph and Caiaphas, priests of the Jews: the things done by the chief priests and the rest of the Jews, which

M

178

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
Hebrew

Nicodemiis recorded after the cross and passion of the Lord,

Nicodemus himself committed
Chap.
1.

to

letters.

—Annas and Caiaphas, Summas and Datam, G amaliel,
:

Judas, Levi, Neptalim, Alexander and Jairus, and the rest of the Jews, came to Pilate, accusing the Lord Jesus Christ of many
things,

We know him [to be] the son of Joseph the Mary; and he says that he is the Son of God, and a king. Not only so, but he also breaks the Sabbath, and wishes to do away with the law of our fathers. Pilate says What is it that he does, and wishes to destroy the law ? The Jews say We have a law, not to heal any one on the Sabbath but he, by evil arts, heals on the Sabbath the lame and the hunchbacked, the blind, the palsied, the lepers, and the demoniacs. Pilate says to them By what evil arts ? They say He is a sorcerer and by Beelzebub, prince of the to him demons, he casts out demons, and they are all subject to him. It is not in an unclean spirit to cast out Pilate says to them
and saying
carpenter, born of
: : :

;

:

demons, but in the god of Scolapius. The Jews say We pray thy majesty to set him before thy tribunal to be heard. Pilate, calling the Jews to him, says to them How can I, seeing that I am a governor,^ hear a king ? They say to him We do not say that he is a king, but he
: : :

himself says he

is.

And

Pilate, calling a runner, says to

him

Let Jesus be brought in with kindness. And the runner, going out and recognising Him, adored Him, and spread on the

ground the cloak which he carried in .his hand, saying My lord, walk upon this, and come in, because the governor calls thee. But the Jews, seeing what the runner did, cried out against Pilate, saying: Why didst not thou make him come in by the voice of a crier, but by a runner ? for the runner, too, seeing him, has adored him, and has spread out before him on the ground the cloak which he held in his hand, and has said to him My lord, the governor calls thee.
:
:

him Wherefore hast thou dorie this, and honoured Jesus, who is called Christ? The runner says to him: When thou didst send me into
Pilate, calling the runner, says to
:

And

^

The word

in the original is the general term pneses,

which the Vulgate uses

for procurator.

THE GOSPEL OF NICODEMUS.
Jerusalem to Alexander,
the children of the

179

I saw him sitting upon an ass, and Hebrews breaking branches from the trees,
;

strewing them in the way and others held branches in their hands and others spread their garments in the way, shouting and saying. Save, therefore. Thou who art in the highest blessed [is He] that cometh in the name of the Lord The Jews cried out, saying against the runner The children of the Hebrews indeed cried out in Hebrew. How canst thou, a Gentile, know this ? The runner says to them I asked one of the Jews, and said, What is it that they cry out in Hebrew ? and he explained to me. Pilate says to them And how did
;
:
:

:

they cry out in Hebrew
highest
!

?

The Jews
:

said

:

Osanna in the

Pilate says to
?

them What
to
:

is

the meaning of Osanna

in the highest

the highest.

him Save us, Thou who art in them: If you yourselves bear witness to the terms and words in which the children cried And they were silent. out, in what has the runner sinned ? The governor says to the runner: Go out, and lead him in, in whatever way thou wilt. And the runner, going forth, did after the same form as before, and says to Jesus: My lord,
They say
Pilate says to
in,

go

As

because the governor calls thee. Jesus, then, was going in, and the standard-bearers

bearing the standards, the heads of the standards were bowed And the Jews, seeing the of themselves, and adored Jesus.
standards,

how they bowed themselves and adored
:

Jesus, cried

out the more against the standard-bearers.
to the

Jews

Do you
:

standards have

say to Pilate

not wonder at the bowed themselves and adored Jesus? The Jews We saw how the men carrying the standards
Jesus.

And Pilate says way in which the

bowed themselves and adored
done ? They say to Pilate the temples how had we
: :

And
:

the governor, call-

ing the standard-bearers, says to

them

Why

We

are Gentile men,

holding the

^ to adore him ? for they themselves bowed and adored him. Pilate says to the chiefs of the synagogue and the elders of the people Choose ye men powerful and strong, and let them

have you so and slaves of when we were

figures,^

:

hold the standards, and
*

let

us see whether they will

bow

of

i.e.

was

it

possible for

lis.

*

Vultus.

He

seems to have read wpoffwra, and not

Tporoficei,

as in the Greek.

1«0
themselves.

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.

And the elders of the Jews, taking twelve men very strc^ng and powerful, made them hold the standards, six and six ^nd they stood before the governor's tribunal. Pilate says to the runner Take out Jesus outside of the prsetorium, and bring him in again,'i£' whatever way thou wilt. And Jesus
; :

and the runner went outsiJ^^ of the prsetorium. And Pilate, calling those who had formeSf l^eld the standards, said to them: By the health of Ciesar, it t^^ standards do not bow themselves when Jesus comes in, I ^'}^ cut off your heads.

And And

the governor ordered Jesus to com^f; ^^ ^ second time. the runner did after the same form as befere, and besought

Jesus much that He would go up and walk upP^ ^^^ cloak. And He walked upon it, and went in. And as"^,J^sus was
going
in,

immediately the standards bowed themsei',ves, and
'''

adored Jesus.

Chap.

2.

—And
this,
:

Pilate seeing, fear seized him,

and in^^®"

diately he wished to rise from the tribunal.

And

while he V^^^

thinking of

[viz.] to rise

and go away,

his wife sent

^

Have nothing to do with that just man,^ for ^ have suffered much on account of him this night. And Pilate,^, calling the Jews, said to them Ye know that my wife is a
him, saying
:

worshipper of God, and in Judaism thinks rather with you. The Jews say to him So it is, and we know. Pilate says to
:

them

:

Lo,

my

wife has sent to me, saying

do with that just man,^ for I have suffered

Have nothing much on account
:

to

of

him

this night.

And

the Jews answering, said to Pilate
is

:

Did

we

not say to thee that he

a magician

?

Lo, he has sent a
that these
?

vision of dreams to thy wife.
Pilate called Jesus,

and said

to

him

:

What

is it

witness against thee, and sayst thou nothing to them

And

Jesus answered

had not the power, they would not speak. Every one has power over his own mouth to say good and evil let them see ^ [to it]. And the elders of the Jews answering, say to Jesus What
:

If they

;

:

shall

we

see

?

Pirst,

that thou wast born

of fornication

second, that at tliy birth in Bethlehem there took place a
^

Lit.,

nothing to thee and that just man.
they will
see.

*

Lit.,

THE GOSPEL OF NICOBEMUS.
massacre of infants
;

181

third, that

mother Mary
in the people.

fled into

thy father Joseph and thy Egypt, because they had no confidence

Some

of the bystanders, kind [men] of the Jews, say
;

:

We
that
of

say that he was not born of fornication

but

we know

Mary was espoused
fornication.

to Joseph,

Pilate says to the
:

and that he was not born Jews who said that he was
is

of

fornication

This speech of yours

not true, seeing that the

betrothal took place, as these of your nation say.
:

Annas and
;

Caiaphas say to Pilate AVe with all the multitude say that he was born of fornication, and that he is a magician but these

Annas and Caiaphas, says to them What are proselytes ? They say to him They have been born sons of the Gentiles, and then have become Jews. Then answered those who testified that Jesus was not born of fornication, Lazarus and Asterius, Antonius and James, Annes and Azaras, Samuel and Isaac, Pinees and Crispus, Agrippa and Judas We were not born proselytes, but are sons- of the Jews, and we speak the truth for we were present at the betrothal of Mary.
are proselytes,
his disciples.
:

and

And

Pilate, calling

:

:

;

And
adjure

Pilate, calling to

him

those twelve

men who proved
:

that Jesus had not been born of fornication, said to

them I you by the health of Caesar, tell me if it be true that Jesus was not born of fornication. They say to Pilate We have a law not to swear, because it is a sin; but let them swear by the health of Ceesar that it is not as we say, and we are worthy of death. Then said Pilate to Annas and Caiaphas Answer you nothing to those things which these testify ? Annas and Caiaphas say to Pilate Those twelve are believed that he
:

:

is

not born of fornication
of fornication,

was born
himself
is

all the people cry out that he and is a magician, and says that he the Son of God and a king, and we are not believed.
;

w^e

—

—

And

Pilate ordered all the multitude to go outside, except

the twelve

men who said that He was not born of fornication, and ordered to separate Jesus from them. And Pilate says to them For what reason do the Jews wish to put Jesus to death ? And they say to him They are angry because he heals on the Sabbath. Pilate said For a good work do they wish to put him to death ? They say to him Yes, my lord.
: : : :

182

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.

with fury, went forth outside of the prreI take the sun to witness that I find in this man not even one fault. The Jews answered and said to the governor If he were not an evil-doer, we should never have delivered him to thee. Pilate says to them Take him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews answered It
Chap. 3.
filled

—Pilate,
:

torium, and says to

them

:

:

:

is

not permitted to us to put any one to death.
:

Pilate says to
to death
?

them

Has God

said to

you not
that I

to put

any one
?

has

He

therefore said to

me

am
:

to kill

Pilate having again gone into the prsetorium, called Jesus to

him privately, and said Jews ? Jesus answered
or have others said I a

to

Him
:

Art thou the king of the
?

Pilate

Speakest thou this of thyself,

[it] to

thee of

me
?

Pilate answered

:

Am

Jew

?

Thy
is

nation and the chief priests have delivered
hast thou done

thee to me.

What

Jesus answering, said

My kingdom
world,

not of this world.

If

my

kingdom were

of this

my

servants would assuredly strive that I should not be

but now my kingdom is not from hence. Art thou then a king ? Jesus said to him Thou sayest that I am a king. For I for this was born, and for this have I come, that I should bear witness to the truth; and every one who is of the truth hears my voice. Pilate says to him What is truth ? Jesus says Truth is from
delivered to the

Jews

;

Pilate said to
:

Him

:

:

:

heaven.
those

Pilate says
:

:

Is not there truth

upon earth

?

Jesus

says to Pilate

Notice
pov^er

how
upon

the truth-speaking are judged
earth.

by

who have
4.

Chap.

—Pilate

therefore, leaving Jesus within the prse-

torium, went out to the Jews, and says to

even one fault in him.
said to

The Jews say
temple
?

to

them him He
: :

I find not
said, I

can

destroy that temple, and in three days raise

it

again.
to

Pilate
:

them

:

What

The Jews say

him
;

[The

temple] which Solomon built in forty and six years and he says [that he can] destroy and build it in three days. Pilate
says to
[to
it].

them I am innocent of the blood of this man The Jews say to him His blood [be] upon
: :

;

see ye
us,

and

upon our

children.

And
to

Pilate, calling the elders
:

and
;

priests

and

Levites, says

them privately

Do

not do so

for in nothing,

though you

THE GOSPEL OF NICODEMUS.
accuse liim, do I find
Levites and elders say
is

183

him deserving
:

of death, not even about

the healing and the breaking of the Sabbath.
Tell us, if

The priests and any one blaspheme Csesar,
: :

he deserving of death or not ? Pilate says to them He die. The Jews answered him How much more is he who has blasphemed God deserving to die And the governor ordered the Jews to go outside of the preetorium and calling Jesus, said to Him What am I to do As it has been given [thee]. to thee ? Jesus says to Pilate How has it been given ? Jesus says Moses and Pilate says the prophets made proclamation of my death and resurrection. And the Jews, hearing this, say to Pilate Why do you desire any more to hear blasphemy ? And Pilate said If this speech is blasphemous, do you take him, and lead him to your synaThe Jews say to gogue, and judge him according to your law. Pilate Our law holds, If a man have sinned against a man, he is worthy to receive forty less one but he who has blasphemed against God, to be stoned. Pilate says to them Then judge him according to your law. The Jews say to Pilate We wish that he be crucified. Pilate
deserves to
!

;

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

;

:

:

says to

them

:

He

does not deserve to be crucified.

upon the people of the Jews of the Jews weeping, and said All the multitude does not wish him to die. The elders say the whole multo Pilate And for this reason have we come that he should die. Pilate said to the Jews What titude has he done that he should die ? They say Because lie said that he was the Son of God, and a king.
the governor, looking

And

standing round, saw very

many

:

—

—

:

:

Chap.

5.

—But

governor, and said: I .entreat, mercifully allow

one Nicodemus, a Jew, stood before the me to say a

Say on. Nicodemus says I and the Levites, and to all the multitude of the Jews, in the synagogue, What have you This man does many wonders and [to do] with this man? Let him go, signs, which no one of men has done or can do. and do not devise any evil against him if the signs which he does are of God, they will stand but if of men, they will come For Moses also, being sent by God into Egypt, to nothing.
few words.
Pilate says to

him

:

:

said to the elders

and the

priests

:

;

184
did

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
many
signs,

which God told him to do before Pharaoh king And'the sorcerers Jamnes and Mambres were there healing, and they did, they also, the signs which Moses did, but not all and the Egyptians deemed them as gods, Jamnes and Mambres. And since the signs which they did were not of God, they perished, both they and those who believed in them. And now let this man go, for he is not deserving of death. The Jews say to Nicodemus Thou hast become his disNicodemus says to them: Has ciple, and takest his part.^ the governor also become his disciple, and does he take his
of Egypt.
;
:

part

?

Has not

Caesar set

him over
:

that dignity

?

And

the

Jews were raging and gnashing with their teeth against Nicodemus. Pilate says to them Why do you gnash with your teeth against him, [when you are] hearing the truth? The Jews say to Nicodemus Mayst thou receive his truth, and a portion with him Nicodemus says Amen, amen, amen may I receive [it], as you have said
: !

:

;

Chap.
says

6.

—And of the Jews

a certain other one, starting up,

asks the governor that he might say a word.
:

The governor
:

What thou wishest
at the

to say, say.

And he

said

For thirty-

eight years I lay in infirmity in

my bed

in very grievous pain.

coming of Jesus, many demoniacs, and [persons] divers infirmities, were healed by him. And some young men had pity on me and carrying me in my bed, laid me before him. And Jesus, seeing, had pity on me, and said the word to me. Take up thy bed, and walk. And immediately I was made whole I took up my bed, and walked. The Jews say to Pilate Ask him what was the day on which he was healed. He said The Sabbath. The Jews say Have we not so informed thee, that on the Sabbath he heals, and drives out demons ? And a certain other Jew starting up, said I was born blind; I heard a voice, and saw no man. And as Jesus was passing by, I cried out with a loud voice. Have pity upon me, thou son of David. And he had pity upon me, and laid his hands upon my eyes, and I saw immediately. And another Jew starting up, said I was hunchbacked, and he straightened me
held

And

down by

;

;

:

:

:

.

:

:

'

Lit.,

makest a word

for

him.

THE GOSPEL OF NICODEMUS.
with a word. And another said me with a word.
:

185

I

was

leprous,

and he

liealed

Chap. 7. And also a certain woman, Veronica by name, from afar off cried out to the governor: I was flowing with blood for twelve years and I touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately the flowing of my blood stopped. The Jews say We have a law, that a woman does not come to bear
;
:

—

witness.

Chap.

8.

— And

certain others,
:

a multitude

of

men and

women, demons demons

cried out, saying

That

man

is

a prophet, and the

Pilate says to those who said the him And your masters, why are they not subject to him ? They say to Pilate We do not know. And others said to Pilate He raised up dead Lazarus from The governor, hearing this, said the tomb after four days. trembling to all the multitude of the Jews Why do you wish
are subject to him.

are subject to

:

:

:

:

to shed innocent blood

?

Chap. 9. And Pilate, calling l^icodemus and the twelve men who said that he was not born of fornication, says to them: Wliat am I to do, seeing that there is a sedition among the
people?

—

They say

to

him:

We

Again

Pilate, calling all the

do not know; let them see to it. multitude of the Jews, said You
:

know

you have a custom during the day of unleavened I have a bread, that I should release to you one that is bound. notable one bound in the prison, a murderer who is called Barabbas, and Jesus who is called Christ, in whom I find no cause Whom do you wish that I should release unto you ? of death.
that

And
is

they

all

cried out, saying: Kelease unto us Barabbas.
:

them What, then, am I to do with Jesus who They all say: Let him be crucified. Again the Jews said Thou art no friend of Csesar's if thou release this man, for he called himself the Son of God, and a king; unless, perhaps, thou wishest this man to be king, and not
Pilate says to
called Christ?
:

Csesar.

Then,

filled

with fury, Pilate said to them

:

Always has your

nation been seditious, and always have you been opposed to

186
those

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
who were
for you.
:

The Jews answered Who are for us ? Your God, who rescued you from the hard slavery of the Egyptians, and led you forth out of Egypt through the sea as if through dry land, and fed you in the desert with manna and quail, and brought water to you out of the rock, and gave you to drink, and gave you a law and in
:

Pilate says to

them

—

;

all

these things you provoked your God, and sought for your-

selves a god, a molten calf

and
king.

He

wished to slay you
die.

;

you, that ye should not

And you exasperated your God, and Moses made supplication for And now you say that I hate the

And rising up from the tribunal, he wished to go outside. And the Jews cried out, and said to him We know that Csesar
:

and not Jesus. For the magi also presented gifts to him as to a king; and Herod, hearing from the magi that a king was born, wished to slay him. But when this was known, his father Joseph took him and his mother, and fled into Egypt and Herod hearing, destroyed the infants of the Jews which were born in Bethlehem. Pilate hearing those words, was afraid. And silence being made among the people, who were crying out, Pilate said This, They say to him It is he. then, is he whom Herod sought ? And taking water, Pilate washed his hands in presence of the
is king,
: :

people, saying
see ye to
it.

:

I

am

innocent of the blood of this just
out, saying
:

man

upon us, Then Pilate ordered the
Jesus
:

Again the Jews cried and upon our children.

His blood [be]

veil to be loosened,^ and said to Thine own nation have brought charges against thee as a king; and therefore I have sentenced thee first to be scourged on account of the statutes of the emperors, and then to be crucified on a cross.

Chap.
to the

10.

—And when Jesus was scourged, he delivered Him
;

to be crucified, and two robbers with Him one by name Dismas, and the other by name Gestas. And when they came to the place, they stripped Him of His garments, and girt Him about with a linen cloth, and put a crown of thorns upon His head. Likewise also they hanged the two

Jews

•

See note, p. 135.

THE GOSPEL OF NICODEMUS.
And
Jesus said
do.

187

robbers with Him, Dismas on the right and Gestas on the
left.
:

Father, forgive them, for they

what they
them.

And

the soldiers parted His garments
;

know not among

And the people stood waiting and their chief priests and judges mocked Him, saying among themselves He saved others, now let him save himself; if he is the Son of God, let him come down from the cross. And the soldiers mocked Him, falling prostrate^ before Him, and offering vinegar with If thou art the Eling of the Jews, set thyself gall, and saying
: :

free.

And
said
:

Pilate, after sentence, ordered a title to
letters,

be written in

Hebrew, Greek, and Latin
This

according to what the Jews

And
said to

is the King of the Jews. one of the robbers [who were] hanged, by name Gestas,
:

was about the sixth hour, and there was and the sun was obscured, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. And crying out with a loud voice. He said Father, into Thy hands I commend my spirit. And thus saying. He gave up the ghost. And the centurion, seeing what was done, glorified God, saying This was a just man. And all the people who were present at that spectacle, seeing what was done, beating their breasts, returned. And the centurion reported to the governor what was done. And the governor and his wife hearing, were very sorrowful, and neither ate nor drank that day. And Pilate, calling together the Jews, said to them Have you seen what has been And they said to the governor There has been an done ?
Chap.
11.
it

—And

darkness over the whole earth

;

:

:

:

:

eclipse of the sun, as is usual.

And
>

his acquaintances also stood afar

off,

and the women

Procidentes ; but this, according to the Greek, should he procedentes, coming

before

Him.

188

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
followed

who had
lo,

Him

from

Galilee, seeing these things.
office,

a certain man, by

name

Joseph, holding

a

And man good

and just, who did not consent to their counsels nor their deeds, from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, waiting, he also, for the kingdom of God, went to Pilate and begged the body of Jesus. And taking Him down from the cross, he wrapt Him in clean linen, and laid Him in his own new tomb, in which no one

had been
Chap.

laid.

12.

—And the

Jews, hearing that Joseph had begged
;

him and those twelve men who had said that He was not born of fornication, and Nicodemus, and many others, who had stood before Pilate and declared His good works. And all of them being hid, Nicodemus alone appeared to them, because he was a chief man of the Jews and he says to them :. How have ye come into the synagogue ? The Jews say to him And thou, how hast thou come into the
the body of Jesus, sought for
:

synagogue, seeing that thou consentest with
portion be with thee in the world to

him?

May

his

Amen, amen, amen. Likewise also to them Why are you enraged against me because I begged Lo, I have laid him in my own new the body of Jesus ? tomb, wrapping him in clean linen and I have rolled a stone
:

Nicodemus said Joseph, coming forth, said
come
!

;

to the door of the cave.

ye have not acted well against a just man, since you have not borne in mind how you cruciThe Jews therefore, fied him, and pierced him with a lance. laying hold of Joseph, ordered him to be imprisoned because of the Sabbath-day and they say to him Know that the hour compels us not to do anything against thee, because the Sabbath is dawning. But understand that thou art worthy not even of burial, but we will give thy flesh to the birds of the Joseph says to them That is air and the beasts of the earth. the speech of proud Goliath, who reviled the living God against holy David. And God hath said. Vengeance is mine I will
;
: :
.

And

;

repay, saith the Lord.
*

And

Pilate, intercepted

^

in his heart,

Another reading
i.e.

is

compundus, pricked.
;

The reading
transition,

in the text, obstructus,

is

a curious mistranslation of the word in the Greek, circumcised
or,

jnpiTiTf/.r,fiivos,

cwt awaj

all

round,

by an obvious

hemmed

in

—the

meaning

adopted in the version before us.

THE GOSPEL OF NICODEMUS.

189

took water, and washed his hands before the sun, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just man see ye to it. And
;

you answered and said to Pilate, His blood be upon us, and upon our children. And now I fear that some time or other the wrath of God will come upon you and your children, as you have said. And the Jews, hearing tliis, were embittered in heart; and taking Joseph, shut him up in a house where there was no window, and set guards at the gate where Joseph had been shut up. And on the Sabbath morning they took counsel with the priests and the Levites, that they should all be assembled after the Sabbath-day. And awaking at dawn, all the multitude in the synagogue took counsel by what death they should slay him. And when the assembly was sitting, they ordered him to be brought with much indignity and opening the gate, they found him not. All the people therefore were in terror, and wondered
;

with exceeding astonishment, because they found the seals And no longer sealed, and because Caiaphas had the keys. did they dare to lay hand upon those who spoke before Pilate
in Jesus' defence.

Chap.

1 3.

—And while they were

sitting in the synagogue,

and

recriminating about Joseph, there came certain of the guards

whom

Jesus, lest His disciples coming should steal

they had asked from Pilate to guard the sepulchre of Him. And they

reported, saying to the rulers of the synagogue,
:

and the priests and the Levites, what had happened how there had happened a great earthquake, and we saw how an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, and rolled away the stone from the door of the tomb, and sat upon it and his countenance was like And for fear, we belightning, and his raiment like snow. came as dead. And we heard the voice of the angel speaking to the women who had come to the sepulchre, and saying, Be not ye afraid for I know that ye seek Jesus who was crucified He is not here He has risen, as He said come and see the place where the Lord was laid. And go immediately and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead, and will go before you into Galilee, as He said to you. The Jews say To what women was he speaking ? The
;

;

:

;

:

:

190
soldiers say
:

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
:

We do not know who the women were. The Jews say At what hour was it ? The guards say At midThe Jews say And why did you not detain them ? night. The guards say We became as dead from fear of the angel, not hoping now to see the light of day and how could we detain them ? The Jews say [As] the Lord God liveth, we
: : :

;

:

do not believe you. And the guards said to the Jews: You have seen so great signs in that man, and have not believed and how can you believe us, that the Lord lives ? For well have ye sworn that the Lord Jesus Christ lives. Again the guards say to the Jews AVe have heard that you have shut up Joseph, who begged the body of Jesus, in the prison, and have sealed it with your rings and on opening, that you have not Give us Joseph, then, and we shall give you found, him. Jesus Christ. The Jews said Joseph has gone to Arimathea,
:

;

:

his

own

city.

The guards say

to the

Jews

:

And

Jesus, as

we

have heard from the angel, is in Galilee. And the Jews, hearing these sayings, feared exceedingly, saying Lest at some time or other this saying be heard, and And the Jews, taking counsel among all believe in Jesus.
:

themselves, brought forth a sufficient

number
that,
if this

of silver pieces,

and gave
disciples

to the soldiers, saying

:

Say

while

we

slept, his

came and

stole him.
^

And

be heard by the

governor,

we
;

shall persuade

him, and make you secure.
all.

And
by

the soldiers, taking [the money], said as they were advised the Jews

and

their saying

was spread abroad among

Chap. 14. And Finees a certain priest, and Addas a teacher, and Egias a Levite, coming down from Galilee to Jerusalem, reported to the rulers of the synagogue, and the priests and the Levites, how they had seen Jesus sitting, and his disciples with him, on the Mount of Olivet, which is called Mambre, or Malech. And he said to his disciples Go into all the world, and declare to every creature the gospel of the kingdom of God. He who believeth and is baptized shall be sav^d but he who believeth not shall be condemned. And these signs shall follow them who believe In my name shall they cast out demons
:

—

;

:

they shall speak in

new

tongues
^

;

they shall take up serpents

ConfirmaUmua.

THE GOSPEL OF NICODEMUS.
and
well.
if tliey
;

191

them

have drunk any deadly thing, it shall not hnrt they shall lay hands upon the sick, and they shall be And as Jesus was thus speaking to his disciples, we

saw him taken up into heaven. The priests and the Levites and the elders say to them Give glory to the God of Israel, and give confession to Him, whether you have both heard and seen those things which you have related. Those who had made the report say: As the Lord God of our fathers liveth, the God of Abraham, and the God The of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, we have heard and seen. Jews say to them Have you come for this to tell us ? or have you come to give prayer to God ? They said We have come to give prayer to God. The elders and chief priests and Levites say to them And if you have come to give prayer to God, why have you murmured before all the people about that foolish tale ? Finees the priest, and Addas the teacher, and
: :

—

:

:

Egias the Levite, say to the rulers of the synagogue, and the

and the Levites If those words which we have spoken, which we have seen and heard, be sin, behold, we are in your presence do unto us according to that which is good in your
priests
:

;

eyes.

And

they, taking the law, adjured

them

to report the

words to no one thereafter. And they gave them to eat and drink, and put them outside of the city, giving them silver pieces, and three men with them, who should conduct them as
far as Galilee.

Then the Jews took counsel among themselves when those

men had gone up
shut themselves

and the rulers of the synagogue and were cut up^ with great fury, saying What sign is this which hath come to pass in Israel ? And Annas and Caiaphas say AVhy are your sovils sorrowful ? Are we to' believe the soldiers, that an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, and rolled away the stone from the door of the
into Galilee
;

in,

:

:

tomb

those

but that his disciples have given much gold to the sepulchre, and have taken Jesus away, and have taught them thus to say Say ye that an angel
?

[No]

;

who were guarding

:

came down from heaven, and rolled away the stone from the door of the tomb. Do you not know that it is unlawof the Lord
' Conddebantur, a mistranslation from considering IxsVrovro as passive, they were cut, instead of middle, they beat their breasts.

192
fill

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
for

Jews

to believe foreigners in a single word,

knowing

that these same
as

who
?

received sufficient 'gold from us have said

we taught them
Chap.
15.

—And

Nicodemus
:

rising up, stood in the midst of

the council, and said

And are not the said rightly. men who have come down from Galilee God-fearing, men of And they recounted with an oath, how peace, hating a lie ? " we saw Jesus sitting on Mount Mambre with his disciples,
You have
and he taught them in our hearing," and that they saw him taken up into heaven. And no one asked them this How he was taken up into heaven. And, as the Avriting of the holy book teaches us, holy Elias too was taken up into heaven, and Elisseus cried out with a loud voice, and Elias threw his sheepand again Elisseus threw that sheepskin skin over Elisaeus over the Jordan, and went over and came to Jericho. And the sons of the prophets met him, and said to Elisa3us, Where is thy master Elias ? And he said. He has been taken up into
:

;

heaven.

And they said to Elisseus, Has a spirit snatched him away, and thrown him upon one of the mountains ? But rather And they perlet us take our boys ^ with us and seek him. suaded Elisa3us, and he went with them. And they sought him
for three days

was taken

and three nights, and found him not, because he And now, men, hear me, and let us send into all Israel, and see lest Jesus can have been taken up somewhere And that or other, and thrown upon one of the mountains. saying pleased all. And they sent to all the mountains of but they found Israel to seek Jesus, and they found Him not Joseph of Arimathea, and no one dared to lay hold of him. And they reported to the elders and priests and Levites We have gone round all the mountains of Israel, and not found Jesus but we have found Joseph in Arimathea. And hearing of Joseph, they rejoiced, and gave glory to the God of Israel. And the rulers of the synagogue, and the priests and the Levites, taking counsel in what manner they should send to Joseph, took paper, and wrote to Joseph Peace to thee and all that is thine We know that we have sinned against God, and against thee and thou hast prayed to
up.
;
:

;

:

!

;

'

i.e.

servants.

THE GOSPEL OF NICODEMUS.
the

193

God

of Israel, and

And now
cause
thee

He has delivered thee out of our hands. deign to come to thy fathers and thy children, bedoor,

We have all sought for and found thee not. We know that we counselled evil counsel against thee ; but the Lord hath supplanted our counsel against thee. Thou art worthy to be honoured, father Joseph, by all the people.

—we who opened the
out of

we have been vehemently grieved.

And they chose

all Israel

seven

men friendly to
:

Joseph,

Joseph knew to be friendly; and the rulers of the synagogue and the priests and the Levites say to them See, if he take the letter and read it, for certain he will come with you to us but if he do not read it, you may know that he is illdisposed toward us, and, saluting him in peace, return to us. And blessing them, they sent them away. And they came to Arimathea to Joseph, and adored him on their face upon the ground, and said Peace to thee and all thine And Joseph said Peace to you, and to all the people of Israel And they gave him the roll of the letter. And Joseph took and read it, and rolled up the letter, 'and blessed God, and said: Blessed [be] the Lord God, who hath delivered Israel from shedding innocent blood and blessed [be] God, who sent His angel, and covered me under his wings. And he kissed them, and set a table for them and they ate and drank, and slept there. And they rose in the morning and Joseph saddled his ass, and travelled with them, and they came into the holy city
also
;
:
! : !

whom

;

;

;

And there met them all the people, crying out, and saying Peace [be] in thy coming in, father Joseph To whom he answered and said The peace of the Lord [be] upon
Jerusalem.
: !

:

all the people And they all kissed him. And they prayed with Joseph, and were terrified at the sight of him. And Nicodemus took him into his house, and made a great feast, and called Annas and Caiaphas, and the elders and chief priests
!

and Levites, to his house. And making merry, and eating and drinking with Joseph, they blessed God, and went every
one to his own house. And Joseph remained in the house of Nicodemus. And on the next day, which is the preparation, the priests and the rulers of the synagogue and the Levites rose early, and came to the house of Nicodemus. And Nicodemus met them,

N

194

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.

and said to tliem: Tcace to you! And tliey said to liim: Peace to thee and Joseph, and to thy house and Joseph's And Nicodemus brought them into his house. And the house council sat and Joseph sat between Annas and Caiaphas, and no one dared to say a word. And Joseph said to them Why And they made signs with their eyes have you called me ? And Nicoto Nicodemus, that he should speak with Joseph. demus opening his mouth, said Father Joseph, thou knowest that the reverend teachers, priests, and Levites seek to hear a And Annas and word from thee. And Joseph said Ask, Caiaphas, taking up the law, adjured Joseph, saying Give glory to the God of Israel, and give confession to Him, that thou wilt not hide any word ^ from us. And they said to him With grief were we grieved that thou didst beg the body of Jesus, and wrap it in clean linen, and lay it in a tomb. Therefore we shut thee up in a house where there was no window, and put a lock and a seal on the gate and on the first day of the week we opened the gates, and found thee not. We were therefore exceedingly grieved, and astonishment came over all And therefore hast thou been sent for; the people of God.
!

;

:

:

:

:

:

;

and now

us what has happened. Joseph On the day of the preparation, about the tenth hour, you shut me in, and I remained there the whole Sabbath in full. And when midnight came, as I was standing
tell

Then

said

:

and praying, the house where you shut me in was hung up by the four corners, and there was a flashing of light in mine eyes. And I fell to the ground trembling. Then some one lifted me up from the place where I had fallen, and poured over me an abundance of water from the head even to the feet, and put
round my nostrils the odour of a wonderful ointment, and rubbed my face with the water itself, as if washing me, and kissed me, and said to me, Joseph, fear not but open thine And looking, I saw eyes, and see who it is that speaks to thee. Jesus and being terrified, I thought it was a phantom. And with prayer and the commandments I spoke to him, and he spoke with me. And I said to him Art thou Kabbi EHas ? And he said to me I am not Elias. And I said Who art thou, my lord ? And he said to me I am Jesus, whose body
;

;

:

:

:

:

^

Tlie

Greek

fr.fia

means

thing as well as word.

THE GOSPEL OF NICODEMUS.
;

195

thou didst beg from Pilate, and wrap in clean linen and thou didst lay a napkin on my face, and didst lay me in thy newtomb, and roll a stone to the door of the tomb. Then I said to him that was speaking to me Show me. Lord, where I laid
:

he led me, and showed me the place where I laid him, and the linen which I had put on him, and the napkin which I had wrapped upon his face and I knew that it was And he took hold of me with his hand, and put me in Jesus. the midst of my house though the gates were shut, and put me in my bed, and said to me Peace to thee And he kissed me, and said to me For forty days go not out of thy house for, lo, I go to my brethren into Galilee.
thee.
;
: !

And

:

Chap. 1 6. And the rulers of the synagogue, and the priests and the Levites, hearing these words from Joseph, became as it were dead, and fell to the ground, and fasted until the ninth And Joseph and Nicodemus entreated them, saying: hour. Arise and stand upon your feet, and taste bread, and comfort your souls, seeing that to-morrow is the Sabbath of the Lord. And they arose, and entreated the Lord, and ate and drank, and went every man to his own house. And on the Sabbath the teachers and doctors sat questioning each other, and saying: What is this wrath that has come upon us ? because we know his father and mother. Levi the teacher said: I know that his parents fear God, and never depart from prayer, and give tithes thrice a-year. And when Jesus was born, his parents brought him up to this place, and gave to God sacrifices and burnt-offerings. And assuredly the great teacher Simeon took him into his arms, saying: Now

—

Thou Thou

sendest

away Thy
;

servant,

Lord, according to
salvation,

Thy

word, in peace

for

mine eyes have seen Thy

which

hast prepared before the face of

all peoples,

a light

for the revealing of the nations,

and the glory of Thy people And he blessed Mary his mother, and said, I make Israel. an announcement to thee concerning this child. And Mary said, Well, my lord.^ And Simeon said. Well. And he said again, Lo, he has been set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be spoken against
1

Perhaps this would be better as a question: Is

it

good ?

196

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
shall pierce thine

and a sword

own
:

soul, that the

thoughts of

many hearts may And the Jews
things
?

be revealed.
said to Levi
:

Levi says
?

Do you

not

And how know^est thou these know that from him I learned
:

the law
father.

They
:

of the council say

We

wish to see thy

And

they searched out his father, and got information;

for he said "Why did you not believe my son ? The blessed and just Simeon taught him the law. The council says to Eabbi Levi The saying which thou hast spoken is true. The chief priests and rulers of the synagogue, and Levites, said to each, other Come, let us send into Galilee to the three men who came hither and gave an account of his teaching and his being taken up, and let them tell us how they saw him taken
: :

up

into heaven.

And

that saying pleased
;

all.

Then they sent

three

and Go, said they, say to Eabbi Addas and Eabbi Finees and Eabbi Egias, Peace to you and yours Many investigations have been made in the council concerning Jesus; therefore have we been instructed to call you to the
into Galilee

men

holy place, to Jerusalem.

The men went
they said
council
:

to Galilee,

and found them
?

sitting,

and medi-

tating on the law.

And

they saluted them in peace.

And
:

Why have

you come

The messengers

said

The

summon you

to the holy city Jerusalem.

And the men,

hearing that they were sought for by the council, prayed to God, and reclined with the men, and ate and drank with them.

And rising And on

went to Jerusalem in peace. morrow the council sat; and they questioned them, saying: Did you plainly see Jesus sitting on Mount Mambre teaching his disciples, and taken up into heaven ? First Addas the teacher says I really saw him sitting on Mount Mambre teaching his disciples and a shining cloud overshadowed him and his disciples, and he went up into heaven and his disciples prayed upon their faces on the ground. And calling Finees the priest, they questioned him also, saying: How didst thou see Jesus taken up? And he
in the morning, they

the

:

;

;

same as the other. And again they called the third, Eabbi Egias, and questioned him, and he said the same as the first and second. And those who were in the council said The law of Moses holds that by the mouth of two or three
said the

THE GOSPEL OF NICODEMUS.
every word should stand.
doctors, says
:

197

It is written in the law,
;

Abudem, a teacher, one of the Enoch walked with God,

and was translated for God took him. Jairus, a teacher, said have heard of the death of holy Moses, and have not seen (it) for it is written in the law of the Lord, And Moses died according to the word^ of the Lord, and no man knoweth of his burying even to the present day, Eabbi Levi said: Wliat is it that Eabbi Simeon said Lo, he lies for the fall and rising again of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be spoken against ? Eabbi Isaac said It is written in the law, Lo, I send mine angel, who shall go before thy face to keep thee in every good way, because I have brought his^ new

And we

;

:

:

name.

Then Annas and Caiaphas

said

:

Eightly have ye said that

these things are written in the law of Moses, that no one saw

the death of Enoch, and no one has

named
®

the burying of holy

and we saw him and the soldiers put a crown of thorns on him, and he received sentence from Pilate and then he was crucified, and they gave him gall and vinegar to drink, and two robbers were crucified with him, and the soldier Longinus pierced his side with a lance; and our honourable father Joseph begged his body, and he has risen again, and, as they say, the three teachers have seen him taken up into heaven. And Eabbi Levi has borne witness to what was said by Simeon the elder that he has been set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be spoken against.
Moses.
Jesus gave account to
Pilate,
;

And

scourged, and receiving spitting on his face

;

—

Then Didas, a

teacher, said to all the assembly

;

If all the

things which these have borne witness to have come to pass
in Jesus, they are from God, and let
eyes.''
it

not be wonderful in our

and the priests and the Levites, said to each other how our law holds, saying: His name shall be blessed for ever His place endureth before the sun, and His seat before the moon and all the tribes of earth shall be blessed in Him, and all nations shall serve Him and kings shall come from far, adoring and magnifying Him."
chiefs of the synagogue,
:

The

:

;

*

Lit.,

3 i,e.

mouth. was tried

2

q^^

j^s.

The

text of the clause
^

is

corrupt.

before.

*

Cf. Ps, cxviii, 23.

Ps, Ixxii, 11, 17.

THE GOSPEL OF NICODEMUS.
PAET
IL

— CHRIST'S
LATIN.

DESCENT INTO HELL.

FIRST VERSION.

CHAPTER
ND

L

(17.)

Joseph rose up and said to Annas and Caiaphas Truly and well do you wonder, since you have heard that Jesus has been seen alive from the dead, ascending up into heaven. But it is more
:

to be wondered at that he is not the only one who has risen from the dead but he has raised up alive out of their tombs many others of the dead, and they have been seen by many in Jerusalem. And hear me now, that we all know the blessed Simeon, the great priest, who took up with his hands Jesus, when an infant, in the temple. And Simeon himself had two sons, full brothers and we aU were at their falling asleep, and at their burial. Go, therefore, and see their tombs for they are open, because they have risen and, behold, they are in the city of Arimathea, living together in prayers. And, indeed, they are heard crying out, but speaking with nobody, and they are silent as the dead. But come, let us go to them; let us conduct them to us with all honour and respect. And if we adjure them, perhaps they will speak to us of the mystery
;

;

:

;

of their resurrection.

At hearing
find

this they all rejoiced.

phas, Nicodenms,

And Annas and Caiaand Joseph, and Gamaliel, went, and did not
;

them in their sepulchres but, walking into the city of Arimathea, they found them there, on their bended knees, and
198

THE GOSPEL OF NIC OD EM US.

199

spending their time in prayer. And kissing them, they conducted them to Jerusalem, into the synagogue, with all veneration

and

fear of God.

And

shutting the doors, and lifting up

it in their hands, adjuring them by the God Adonai, and the God of Israel, who by the law and the prophets spoke to our fathers, saying Do you believe that it was Jesus who raised you from the dead ? Tell us how you have risen from the dead. Karinus and Leucius, hearing this adjuration, trembled in their body, and groaned, being disturbed in heart. And together they looked towards heaven, and with their fingers made the sign of the cross on their tongues, and immediately they spoke

the law of the Lord, they put

:

together, saying

write

Give each of us sheets of paper, and let us what we have seen and heard. And they gave it to them. And they sat down, and each of them wrote, saying
:

Chap.
life

2 (18).

—

Lord Jesus Christ, the resurrection and the

of the dead, permit us to speak mysteries through the death

For of Thy cross, because we have been adjured by Thee. Thou didst order Thy servants to relate to no one the secrets And of Thy divine majesty which Thou didst in Hades. when we were, along with all our fathers, lying in the deep, in
the blackness of darkness, suddenly there appeared a golden

heat^ of the sun, and a purple royal light shining upon And immediately the father of all the human race, with
the patriarchs and prophets, exulted, saying
co-eternal light.
:

us.
all

That light
This

is

the
the

source of eternal light, which hath promised to transmit to us

And
:

Esaias cried out, and said

:

is

light of the Father, the alive

upon earth

was The land of Zabulon and the land of Neph-

Son

of God, as I predicted

when

I

thalim across Jordan, Galilee of the nations, the people
in darkness, have seen a great light;

who

sat

was shining among those who are in the region of the shadow of death. And now it has come and shone upon us sitting in death. And when we were all exulting in the light which shone over us, there came up to us our father Simeon and he said, exulting: Glorify the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God; because I took Him up when born, an infant, in my hands in
and
light
;
'

Color

J

another MS.

lias color,

hue.

200
the temple
confessing:

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
;

Now

and instigated by the Holy Spirit, I said to Him, mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which
in the sight of all peoples, a light for the

Thou hast prepared

revealing of the nations, and the glory of

Thy people

Israel.

When
more.

they heard

this, all

the multitude of the saints exulted

comes up, as it were, a dweller in the and he is asked by all Who art thou ? To whom he says in answer I am John, the voice and prophet of the Most High, going before the face of His coming to prepare His ways, to give the knowledge of salvation to His people for the remission of their sins. And seeing Him coming to me, instigated by the Holy Spirit, I said: Behold the Lamb of
after this there

And

desert

;

:

:

And

Him who taketh away the sins of the world Him in the river of Jordan, and I saw the Holy Spirit descending upon Him in the form of a dove and I heard a voice from the heavens saying. This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And now I have gone before
God
!

behold

I baptized

;

His

face,

and have descended
of

rising

Son

God

is

on high to us
Chap. 3

sitting

to announce to you that the hand to visit us, coming from in darkness and the shadow of death.

close at

(19).
this,

—And

when

the

first

created, father

Adam,

had heard
to his
all

was baptized in Jordan, he cried out son Seth: Tell thy sons, the patriarchs and the prophets,
that Jesus

that thou heardest from Michael the archangel

when

I sent

thee to the gates of paradise to implore

God

that

He might

send thee His angel to give thee oil from the tree of mercy, with which to anoint my body when I was sick. Then Seth,

coming near to the holy patriarchs and prophets, said When I, Seth, was praying to the Lord at the gates of paradise, behold Michael, the angel of the Lord, appeared to me, saying, I have been sent to thee by the Lord. I am set over the human race.^ And to thee, Seth, I say, do not labour with tears in prayers and supplications on account of the oil of the tree of mercy to anoint thy father Adam for the pain of his body, because in no wise shalt thou receive of it, except in the last days and times, except when five thousand and five hundred years have
:

'

Lit.,

body.

THE GOSPEL OF NICODEMUS.
been
fulfilled
:

201

then will come upon the earth the most beloved

up again the body of Adam, and the bodies and He, when He comes, will be baptized in Jordan. And when He shall have come out of the water of Jordan, then with the oil of His mercy shall He anoint all that believe on Him and that oil of mercy shall be for the generation of those who shall be born out of water and the Holy Spirit into life eternal. Then, descending upon earth, Christ Jesus, the most beloved Son of God, will lead our father
Son of God,
to raise

of the dead;

;

Adam

into paradise to the tree of mercy.

And when

they heard

all

these things from Seth, all the

patriarchs and prophets exulted with great exultation.

Chap. 4

(20).

—And

when

all

the saints were exulting,
to

lo,

Satan, the prince

and leader of death, said

Hades: Make

thyself ready to receive Jesus,

who

boasts himself to be the

and is a man fearing death, and saying. My soul is sorrowful, even unto death. And he has withstood me much, doing me evil; and many whom I made blind, lame, deaf, leprous, and demoniac, he has healed with a word and those whom I have brought to thee dead, he has dragged away from thee. Hades, answering, said to Prince Satan Who is he that is so powerful, when he is a man in fear of death ? For all the powerful of the earth are kept in subjection by my power, whom thou hast brought into subjection by thy power. If, then, thou art powerful, what is that man Jesus like, who, though fearing death, withstands thy power ? If he is so

Son

of God,

;

:

powerful in humanity, verily I say unto thee, he
ful in divinity,

is

all-power-

and his power can no one resist. And when he says that he fears death, he wishes to lay hold on thee, and

woe

will be to thee to the ages of eternity.
:

And

Satan, prince

answered and said Why hast thou doubted, and For I feared to receive this Jesus, thy adversary and mine ? have tempted him, and I have roused up my ancient people the Jews with hatred and anger against him; I have sharpened a lance to strike him I have mixed gall and vinegar to give him to drink and I have prepared wood to crucify him, and
of Tartarus,
;

;

202

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
and his death
:

nails to pierce liim,

is

near at hand, that I

may

bring

him

to thee, subject to thee

and me.

Tartarus answered and said Thou hast told me that it is Now he himself who has dragged away the dead from me. there are many who are here kept by me, who, while they lived on earth, took the dead from me, not by their own powers, but by godly prayers, and their almighty God dragged them away from me. Who is that Jesus, who by his word has withdrawn the dead from me without prayers ? Perhaps he is the same who, by the word of his command, brought alive Lazarus, after he had been four days in stench and corruption, whom I kept dead. Satan, prince of death, answered and said: That Jesus is the same. And when Hades heard this, he said I adjure thee by thy powers and mine, do not bring to him
:

him

to me.

For I

at that time,

when

I heard the

command

and dismay, and all my officers at the same time were confounded along with me. Nor could we keep that Lazarus but, shaking himself like an eagle, he sprang out, and went forth from us with all activity and speed, and the same ground which held the dead body of Lazarus immediately gave him forth alive. So now, I know
of his word, trembled with terror
;

that that

man who

could do these things

is

God, strong in

authority, powerful in humanity,

and

He

is

the Saviour of the

human

But if thou bring Him to me, all who are here race. shut up in the cruelty of the prison, and bound by their sins
in chains that cannot be loosened.

He

will let loose, and will

bring to the

life

of

His divinity

for ever.

Chap. 5 (21). And as Prince Satan and Hades were thus speaking to each other in turn, suddenly there was a voice as of thimders, and a shouting of spirits Lift up your gates, ye princes; and be ye lifted up, ye everlasting gates; and the
:

—

King
if

of glory shall
:

come

in.^

Hades hearing

this, said to

Prince Satan

Eetire from me, and go outside of

my

realms

thou art a powerful warrior, fight against the King of glory. And Hades thrust But what hast thou to do with Him? And Hades said to his impious Satan outside of his realms. officers Shut the cruel gates of brass, and put up the bars of
:

'

Ps. xxiv. 7.

•

THE GOSPEL OF NICOD EM US.
bravely, that we, holding captivity,

203

iron,

and

resist-

may

not

take [Him] captive.^

And

all

the multitude of the saints, hearing this, said to
:

Open thy gates, that the King of glory may come in. And David cried out, saying: Did I not, when I was alive upon earth, prophesy to you Let them confess to the Lord His tender mercies and His wonderful works to the children of men: for He has shattered the brazen gates, and burst the iron bars He has taken them up out of the way of their iniquity V And after this, in like manner, Esaias said Did not I, when I was alive upon earth, prophesy to you The dead shall rise up, and those who are in their tombs shall rise again, and those who are upon earth shall exult because the dew, which is from the Lord, is their
Hades, with the voice of reproach
:

;

:

:

;

health?^

Death, is thy sting? thy victory ?* And when all the saints heard this from Esaias, they said Since thou art now conquered, to Hades: Open thy gates. thou wilt be weak and powerless. And there was a great
where,

And

again I said. Where,
is

Hades,

voice, as of thunders, saying

Lift up your gates, ye princes and be ye lifted up, ye infernal gates and the King of glory shall come in. Hades, seeing that they had twice shouted out this, says, as if not knowing Who is the king of glory ? David says, in answer to Hades I recognise those words of the shout, since I prophesied the same by His Spirit. And now, what I have said above I say to thee. The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle; He is the King of glory.* And the Lord Himself hath looked down from heaven upon earth, to hear the groans of the prisoners, and to release the sons of the slain.^ And now, most filthy and most foul Hades, open thy gates, that the King of glory may come in. While David was thus speaking, there came to Hades, in the form of a man, the Lord of majesty, and lighted up the eternal darkness, and burst asunder the indissoluble chains and the
: ;
: :

;

'

Ps. Ixviii. 18.

Captivemus in the text

is

probably a misprint for captivemur,

may
^

3
s

not be taken captive. Ps. cvii. 15-17, according to the LXX. and the Vulgate. ^ Hos. xiii. 14 Isa. xxvi. 19, according to the LXX.
Ps. xxiv. 7,
8.

We have been overcome by thee. Lord directest our confusion ?^ Who art thou, that, undestroyed by corruption, the uncorrupted proof of thy majesty, with fury condemnest our power ? Who art thou, so great and little, lowly and exalted, soldier and commander, wonderful warrior in the form of a slave, and the king of glory dead and alive, whom slain the cross has carried ? Thou, who didst lie dead in the sepulchre, hast come down to us alive and in thy death every creature trembled, and the stars in a body were moved and now thou hast been made free among the dead, and disturbest our legions. Who art
art thou, that to the
;
;

thou, that settest free those
original sin,
art thou,

who

art held captive,

bound by
?

and

recallest

them

to their former liberty

Who

who
?

sheddest a divine, and splendid, and illuminating
also, all

light

upon those who have been blinded by the darkness of
In like manner,
the legions of the demons,

their sins

terror-stricken with like fear from their fearful overthrow, cried
out, saying
:

Whence

art thou,

Jesus, a

man

so powerful

and

splendid in majesty, so excellent, without spot, and free from
guilt

For that world of earth which has been subject to us ? always until now, which used to pay tribute for our uses, has never sent us such a dead man, has never destined such gifts
for the

powers below.

Who

therefore art thou, that hast so

intrepidly entered our bounds,
of our

and who hast not only no fear punishments, but, moreover, attemptest to take all away from our chains ? Perhaps thou art that Jesus of whom our prince Satan said, that by thy death of the cross thou wast
destined to receive the dominion of the whole world.
^

Cf. Isa. ix. 2

;

Luke
:

i.

79.

*

Some

Mss. have
?

Who

art

tlioii,

man, that

to

God

directest

thy prayer to

our confusion
fusion

The

coiTect reading

may

be

:

Who

art thou, that bringest con-

upon our master ?

THE GOSPEL OF NICODEMUS.

205

Then the King of glory, trampling on death by His majesty, and seizing Prince Satan, delivered him to the power of Hades, and drew Adam to His brightness.
Chap. 7
(23).

—Then

Hades, receiving Prince Satan, said to
:

him, with vehement revilings

prince of perdition, and leader

of extermination, Beelzebub, derision of angels, to be spit

upon

by the
.

Didst thou wish to crucify the .King of glory, in whose death thou didst promise us so great spoils ? Like a fool, thou didst not know what thou
just,
?

why

didst thou wish to do this

wast doing.
divinity
is

Por, behold, that Jesus

by the splendour

of His

putting to flight

all

the darkness of death, and

He

has broken into the strong lowest dej)ths of our dungeons, and has brought out the captives, and released those who were
bound.
us,

And

all

who used

to

groan under our torments insult

our dominions are taken by storm, and our realms conquered, and no race of men has now any
their prayers

and by

respect for us.

Moreover,

also,

we

are grievously threatened

by the dead, who have never been haughty to us, and who have Prince Satan, father not at any time been joyful as captives. of all impious wretches and renegades, why didst thou wish to do this ? Of those who from the beginning, even until now, have despaired of salvation and life, no bellowing after the usual fashion is now heard here and no groaning of theirs resounds, nor in any of their faces is a trace of tears found.
;

Prince Satan, possessor of the keys of the lower regions, all thy riches which thou hadst acquired by the tree of transgression and the loss of paradise, thou hast now lost by the tree of the cross, and all thy joy has perished. When thou didst hang up that Christ Jesus the King of glory, thou wast
acting against thyself and against me.

know what
of death,

eternal torments

and

infinite

Henceforth thou shalt punishments thou art
Prince Satan, author

to endure in

my

everlasting keeping.

and source of all pride, thou oughtest first to have Him in whom thou inquired into the bad cause of that Jesus. perceivedst no fault, why, without reason, didst thou dare unjustly to crucify ? and why hast thou brought to our regions one innocent and just, and lost the guilty, tlie impious, and the
unjust of the wliole world
i

206

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.

And when Hades had thus spoken to Prince Satan, then the King of glory said to Hades Satan the prince will be in thy power for ever, in place of Adam and Ids sons, my just ones.
:

Chap. 8
said
ness.
:

(24).

—And the Lord
my
saints,

stretched out His hand, and

Come

to me, all

who have my image and

like-

Do

you,

and the devil

who have been condemned through the and death, now see the devil and death

tree

con-

demned through the tree. Immediately all the saints were brought together under the hand of the Lord. And the Lord, holding Adam by the right hand, said to him: Peace be to
thee,

with

all

thy children,

my

righteous ones!

And Adam
Lord; for

fell

down

at the

knees of the Lord, and with tearful entreaty pray-

ing, said

with a loud voice: I will extol Thee,

Thou

hast lifted

me

up, and hast not

made

my

foes to rejoice over

me.

Lord God, I cried unto Thee, and Thou hast healed me, hast brought out my soul from the powers below; Thou hast saved me from them that go down into the pit. Sing
Lord,

Thou

praises to the Lord, all

His
is

saints,

and confess

to the

memory
life

of His holiness

;

since there

anger in His indignation, and

In like manner also all the saints of God, falling on their knees at the feet of the Lord, said with one voice Thou hast come, Eede.emer of the w^orld as Thou hast foretold by the law and Thy prophets, so hast Thou fulfilled by Thy deeds. Thou hast redeemed the living by Thy cross and by the death of the cross Thou hast come down to us, to rescue us from the powers below, and from death, by Thy majesty. Lord, as Thou hast set the title of thy glory in heaven, and hast erected as the title of redemption Thy cross upon earth, so,
in His goodwill.^
:

:

;

Lord, set in

Hades the sign

of the victory of

Thy

cross, that

death

may no more have dominion. And the Lord, stretching forth His

hand, made the sign of
;

the cross upon

and upon all His saints and holding Adam by the right hand, went up from the powers below and all the saints followed Him. Then holy David cried out aloud, saying: Sing unto the Lord a new song, for He hath done wonderful things; His right hand and His holy arm have brought salvation to Himself. The Lord hath made known
:

Adam

>

Ps. XXX. 1-6 (Vulg.).

THE GOSPEL OF NICODEMUS.
His salvation
saying
;

207

His righteousness hath

He

revealed in the sight

of the heathen.^
:

And all
glory to

the multitude of the saints answered,

This

is

all

His

saints.

Amen,

alleluia.

And
elect.^

after this the

prophet Habacuc cried out, saying: Thou

wentest forth for the salvation of

Thy

people, to deliver Thine
:

And

all

the saints answered, saying

Blessed

is

He

who cometh

in the

name

of the Lord

;

God

is

the Lord, and

He
a

after this the

hath shone upon us.^ Amen, alleluia. In like manner prophet Michseas also cried out, saying Who is
:

God

like unto thee,

Lord, taking

away

iniquities

and pass-

ing by sins

And now Thou dost withhold Thine anger for a ? testimony [against us], because Thou delightest in mercy. And
Thou turnest
all

again,

our iniquities; and

tude of death,* as
of old.^

and hast compassion upon us, and pardonest all our sins hast Thou sunk in the multiThou hast sworn unto our fathers in the days
the saints answered, saying
:

And

all

This

is

om^

God

to eternity,

and ever and He will direct us for evermore.^ Amen, alleluia. So also all the prophets, quoting the sacred [writings] concerning His praises,'' and all the saints and
for ever
;

crying.

Amen,

alleluia,

followed the Lord.

Chap. 9
delivered

(25).

—And

the Lord, holding the hand of

Adam,

Michael the archangel: and all the saints followed Michael the archangel, and he led them all into the And there met them, two men, glorious grace of paradise. The saints asked them Wlio are you, that ancient of days. have not yet been dead along with us in the regions below, and One of them have been placed in paradise in the body? answered, and said I am Enoch, who by the word of the Lord have been translated hither and he who is with me is Elias Here also the Thesbite, who was taken up by a fiery chariot. even untH now we have not tasted death, but have been reserved to the coming of Antichrist, by divine signs and wonders to do battle with him, and, being killed by him in Jerusalem, after
to
: :

him

;

^ Ps. cxviii. 26, 27. 2 Hab. iii. 13. muUitudine mortis; but the Mss. must have had aliitudine maris, in the depth of the sea, with tlie LXX. and the Hebrew.
'

Ps. xcviii. 1, 2.

4

So the
Mic.

text,

5
^

vii.

18-20.

6

pg. xlviii. 14.

Or, bringing sacred words from their praises.

208

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
up
alive again in the

three days and half a day to be taken
clouds.^

Chap. 10
thus

(26).

—And while
behold, there

the saints

speaking,

Enoch and Elias were came up another man, most

wretched, carrying on his shoulders the sign of the cross.
seeing him, all the saints said to

And

him

:

Who

art

thou

?

because

thy appearance is that of a robber. And what is the sign which thou carriest on thy shoulders ? In answer to them, he said Truly have you said that I was a robber, doing all sorts And the Jews crucified me along with of evil upon the earth.
:

Jesus; and I saw the miracles in created things which were

done through the cross of Jesus
be the Creator of
all

and I believed Him to King omnipotent and I entreated Him, saying. Be mindful of me. Lord, when Thou shalt have cohae into Thy kingdom. Immediately He accepted my entreaty, and said to me. Amen I say to thee. To-day shalt thou be with me in paradise.^ And He gave me
crucified,

created things, and the

;

this

sign of the cross, saying,
;

Walk

into paradise carrying

this
in,

and

if

the guardian angel of paradise will not let thee go
of the cross,

show him the sign

Jesus Christ, the Son of God,
sent me.

who

has

and thou shalt say to him, now been crucified, has
the guardian angel he immediately opened,

Having done

so, I said all this to

of paradise.

And when
in,

he heard

this,

and led me
Lo, hold a

and j)laced me at the right of paradise, saying, and there will come in the father of the whole human race, Adam, with all his children, holy and just, after the triumph and glory of the ascension of Christ the crucified Hearing aU these words of the robber, all the holy Lord. Blessed art Thou, patriarchs and prophets with one voice said Lord Almighty, Father of everlasting benefits, and Father of mercies, who hast given such grace to Thy sinners, and hast brought them back into the grace of paradise, and into Thy rich pastures for this is spiritual life most sure. Amen, amen.
little,
:

;

Chap. 11

(27).

— These
Thcss.

which we saw and heard,
are not allowed to tell
'

and sacred mysteries and Leucius. More we of the other mysteries of God, as Michael
are the divine I Karinus,
iv. 17.
»

Rev.

xi.

3-12;

1

Luke

xxiii. 42, 43.

THE GOSPEL OF NICODEMUS.
:

209

the archangel adjured us, and said You shall go into Jerusalem with your brethren, and continue in prayers, and you shall cry out, and glorify the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, who has raised you up again from the dead with Himself. And with none of men shall you speak; and you shall sit as if dumb, until the hour shall come when the Lord Himself shall permit you to relate the mysteries of His divinity. And Michael the archangel ordered us to walk across Jordan into a place rich and fertile, where there are many who rose again along with us for an evidence of the resurrection of Christ the Lord because only three days were allowed to us who have risen from the dead to celebrate in Jerusalem the passover of the Lord, with our living relations, for an evidence of the resurrection of Christ the Lord and we have been baptized in the holy river of Jordan, receiving each of us white robes. And after three
;
:

days,

when we had

celebrated the passover of the Lord, all

who

up into the clouds, and taken across the Jordan, and were no longer seen by any But we were told to remain in the city of Arimathea in one.
rose again along with us were snatched

prayers.

to you.

These are the things which the Lord commanded us to relate Give Him praise and confession, and be penitent, that He may have mercy upon you. Peace be to you from the same Lord Jesus Clirist, and the Saviour of all of us Amen. And after they had finished all, writing on separate sheets of paper, they arose. And Karinus gave what he wrote into the hands of Annas and Caiaphas and Gamaliel; in like manner also Leucius gave what he wrote into the hands of Nicodemus and Joseph. And being suddenly transfigured, they became exceedingly white, and were seen no more. And their writings were found exactly the same, not one letter more or less. All the synagogue of the Jews, hearing aU these wonderful sayings of Karinus and Leucius, said to each other Truly all these things have been done by the Lord, and blessed be the Lord for ever and ever. Amen. And they all went out with great anxiety, beating their breasts with fear and trembling; and they went away, each to his own house. All these things which were said by the Jews in their synagogue Joseph and Nicodemus immediately reported to the
!
^

:

210
proconsul.

TIJE

APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.

And Pilate himself wrote all which had been done and said concerning Jesus by the Jews, and he placed all the words in the public records of his prsetorium.
Chap. 12
scribes,
(28).

— After
all

this, Pilate

going into the temple of

the Jews, assembled

the chief priests, and learned men, and the gates should

and teachers of the law, and went in with them into the
all

sanctuary of the temple, and ordered that
:

be shut, and said to them We have heard that you have a certain great collection of books in this temple therefore I ask
:

you that

it

be presented before

us.

And when

four officers

brought in that collection of books, adorned with gold and precious gems, Pilate said to all
fathers,
:

I adjure

you by the God of your

who
is

ordered you to build this temple in the place of

his

sanctuary, not to conceal the truth from me.

You

all

know what

written in that collection of books

;

but now say

whether you have found in the writings that Jesus, whom you have crucified, to be the Son of God that was to come for the salvation of the human race, and in how many revolutions of Declare to me whether you the seasons he ought to come. crucified him in ignorance of this, or knowing it. Being thus adjured, Annas and Caiaphas ordered all the others who were with them to go out of the sanctuary and themselves shut all the gates of the temple and the sanctuary, and said to Pilate We have been adjured by thee, good judge, by the building of this temple, to give thee the truth, and a clear account [of this matter]. After we had crucified Jesus, not knowing Him to be the Son of God, thinking that He did miracles by means of some charm, we made a great synagogue And conferring with each other of the signs of in this temple. the miracles which Jesus had done, we found many witnesses
;
:

of our nation

who

suffering death,

heaven.

And

said that they had seen Jesus alive after and that He had penetrated into the height of we have seen two witnesses, whom Jesus raised

up again from the dead, who told us many wonderful things that Jesus did among the dead, which we have in our hands,
written out.

And

our custom

is,

every year before our synafirst

gogue, to open that holy collection of books, and seek out the

testimony of God.

And we

have found in the

book of the

THE GOSPEL OF I^ICODEMUS.

211

LXX., where the archangel Michael spoke to the third son of Adam, the first man, of five thousand and five hundred years, in which the Christ, the most beloved Son of God, was to come from the heavens and upon this we have considered that perhaps He was the God of Israel who said to Moses,^ Make to
;

thee the ark of the covenant, two cubits and a half in length, one cubit and a half in breadth, one cubit and a half in height.

In these five and a half cubits we have understood and recogfrom the structure of the ark of the old covenant, that in five and a half thousands of years, Jesus Christ was to come in the ark of the body and we have found Him to be the God of Israel, the Son of God. Because after His passion, we, the chief priests, wondering at the signs which happened on account of Him, opened this collection of books, searching out all the generations, even to the generation of Joseph, and reckoning that Mary the mother of Christ was of the seed of David and we have found that from the time that God made the heaven and. the earth and the first man, to the deluge, are two thousand two hundred and twelve ^ years and from the deluge
nised,
; ;

;

hundred and thirty-one' years and from the building of the tower to Abraham, six hundred and six * years and from Abraham to the arrival of the children of Israel from Egypt, four hundred and seventy years from the coming of the children of Israel out of Egypt to the building of the temple, five hundred and eleven years and from the building of the temple to the destruction of the same temple, four hundred and sixty-four years. Thus far have we found in the book of Esdras. After searching, we find that from the burning of the temple to the advent of Christ, and His birth, there are six hundred and thirty-six^ years, which together were five thousand five hundred years, as we have found written in the book that Michael the archangel foretold to Seth the third son of Adam, that in five and a half thousands of years Christ the Son of God would come.* Even until now we have told no one, that there might be no dissension in our good judge, by synagogues. And now thou hast adjured us,
to the building of the tower, five
;
;
;

1

Ex. XXV. 10.

'^

3 *

This includes the second Cainan.

Should be 2262— /3<roj3 in place of /i<r;/3. * Should be 676.
* Lit.,

Should be

586— dlxxxvi.

instead of DCXXXVI.

has come.

212
tliis lioly

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.

fest to thee.

book of the testimonies of God, and we make it maniAnd now we adjure thee, by tby life and safety, to make manifest these words to no one in Jerusalem.
Chap. 13
(29).

words of Annas and and Saviour, in the public records of his prsetorium, and wrote a letter to
Pilate, hearing these
all

—

Caiaphas, laid them

up

in the acts of our Lord

Claudius, king of the city of Rome, saying

:

Pontius Pilate to Claudius his king, greeting.

It has lately

happened, as I myself have also proved, that the Jews, through
envy, have punished themselves and their posterity by a cruel

condemnation.
that their

In short, when their fathers had a promise God would send them from heaven his holy one,

who

should deservedly be called their king, and promised
I

that he would send
therefore, while

him by a virgin upon the earth when, was procurator, he had come into Judea,
:

and when they saw him enlightening the blind, cleansing the making demons flee from men, even raising the dead, commanding the winds, walking dryshod upon the waves of the sea, and doing many other signs of miracles and when aU the people of the Jews said that he was the Son of God, the chief priests felt envy against him, and seized him, and delivered him to me and, telling me one lie after another, they said that he was a sorcerer, and was acting
lepers, curing the paralytics,
;
;

contrary to their law.

And

I

believed that

it

was

so,

and delivered him

to

be

scourged, according to their will.
set guards over

him when

buried.

And they crucified him, and And he rose again on the
But
so flato

third day, while

my

soldiers

were keeping guard.
disciples

grant was the iniquity of the Jews, that they gave

money

my

have stolen his body. But after receiving the money they could not keep secret what had been done for they bore witness both that he had risen again, that they had seen him,^ and that they had received money from the Jews. This accordingly I have done, lest any one should give a diiferent and a false account of it, and lest thou shouldst think that the lies of the Jews are to be believed.
soldiers, saying.
;
*

Say that his

'

Or, that they

had suen that he

rose

from the dead.

THE GOSPEL OF NICODEMUS.
PART
II.— THE
-

DESCENT OF CHEIST INTO HELL
SECOND VERSION.

LATIN.

CHAPTER
HEN
Egias, the three

I.

(17).

Rabbi Addas, and Rabbi Finees, and Rabbi men who had come from Galilee, testifying that they had seen Jesus taken up into

chiefs of the Jews,

heaven, rose up in the midst of the multitude of the and said before the priests and the Levites,
:

who had been called together to the council of the Lord When we were coming from Galilee, we met at the Jordan a very great multitude of men, fathers ^ who had been some time dead. And present among them we saw Karinus and Leucius. And they came up to us, and we kissed each other, because they were dear friends of ours and we asked them. Tell us, friends and brothers, what is this breath of life and flesh ? and who are those with whom you are going ? and how do you, who
;

have been some time dead, remain in the body ? And they said in answer We have risen again along with Christ from the lower world, and He has raised us up again from the dead. And from this you may know that the gates of death and darkness have been destroyed, and the souls of the saints have been brought out thence, and have ascended into heaven along with Christ the Lord. And indeed to us it has been commanded by the Lord Himself, that for an appointed time we should walk over the banks of Jordan and the moun:

tains; not, however, appearing to every one, nor speaking to
'

A bhaforum.
213

•

214

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
whom He
has permitted
Spirit.
us.

every one, except to those to
just

And

now we
it

could neither have spoken nor appeared to you,
to us

unless

had been allowed
they heard

by the Holy

And when

this, all

the multitude

who were

pre-

sent in the council were struck with fear and trembling, and

wondered whether these things had really happened which Then Caiaphas and Annas said to these Galileans testified. the council What these have testified, first and last, must
:

shortly be altogether

made

clear:

If it shall be found to be

true that Karinus and Leucius remain alive in the body, and
if

we

shall be able to behold

them with our own
;

eyes,

then

what they
is all lies.

testify is altogether true
;

will inform us of everything

but

if

and if we find them, they not, you may know that it
it

Then the
choose

council having suddenly risen,
fit

pleased

them

to

men

for the duty, fearing

God, and

who knew when

they died, and where they were buried, to inquire diligently, and to see whether it was as they had heard. The men therefore proceeded to the
all

same place, fifteen in number, who through were present at their falling asleep, and had stood at their And feet when they were buried, and had beheld their tombs. they came and found their tombs open, and very many others besides, and found a sign neither of their bones nor of their And they returned in all haste, and reported what they dust.

had seen. Then all their synagogue was in great grief and perplexity, and they said to each other What shall we do ? Annas and Caiaphas said Let us turn to where we have heard that they are, and let us send to them men of rank, asking and entreating them perhaps they will deign to come to us. Then they sent to them Mcodemus and Joseph, and the three men, the Galilean rabbis who had seen them, asking that they should deign to come to them. And they went, and walked round all the region of Jordan and of the mountains, and they were coming
: : :

back without finding them. And, behold, suddenly there appeared coming down from Mount Amalech a very great number, as it were, twelve thousand men, who had risen with the Lord. And though they recognised very many there, they were not able to say

THE GOSPEL OF NICODEMUS.
anytliing to

215

and the angelic vision; and they how they walked along singing praises, and saying The Lord has risen again from the dead, as He had said let us all exult and be glad, Tlien those who had been sent since He reigns for ever. were astonished, and fell to the ground for fear, and received the answer from them, that they should see Karinus and

them

for fear

stood at a distance gazing and hearing them,
:

;

Leucius in their

own

houses.

they rose up and went to their houses, and found them spending their time in prayer. And going in to them, they
fell

And

on their faces

to the ground, saluting

them; and being

raised up, they said:

friends of God, all the multitude of

the Jews have directed us to you, hearing that you have risen

from the dead, asking and beseeching you to come to them, that we all may know the great things of God which have happened around us in our times. And they immediately, at a sign from God, rose up, and came with them, and entered
their synagogue.
priests,

Then the multitude of the Jews, with the put the books of the law in their hands, and adjured

them by the God

Heloi, and the God Adonai, and by the law and the prophets, saying: Tell us how you have risen from the dead, and what are those wonderful things which have happened in our times, such as we have never heard to have happened at any other time because already for fear all our bones have been benumbed, and have dried up, and the earth moves itself under our feet for we have joined all our hearts to shed righteous and holy blood. Then Karinus and Leucius signed to them with their hands And this they did, to give them a sheet of paper and ink. because the Holy Spirit did not allow them to speak to them. And they gave each of them paper, and put them apart, the one from the other in separate ceUs. And they, making with their fingers the sign of the cross of Christ, began to write on the separate sheets and after they had finished, as if out of one mouth from the separate cells, they cried out, Amen. And rising up, Karinus gave his paper to Annas, and Leucius to Caiaphas and saluting each other, they went out, and returned
;
:

;

;

to their sepulchres.

Then Annas and Caiaphas, opening

the sheet of paper, began

216
each to read
all cried

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
it
:

out

But all in secret. Eead these writings

tlie

people took
;

it ill,

and so
they

to us openly

and

after

have been read through we shall keep them, lest perchance this truth of God be turned through wilful blindness, by unAt this Annas and clean and deceitful men, into falsehood. Caiaphas fell a-trembling, and delivered the sheet of paper to Eabbi Addas, and Eabbi Finees, and Kabbi Egias, who had come from Galilee, and announced that Jesus had been taken

up into heaven. All the multitude of the Jews trusted to them to read this writing. And they read the paper containing
these words
:

Chap. 2

(18).

—

I Karinus.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the

living God, permit

me

to

speak of Thy wonders which Thou

When, therefore, we were kept and the shadow of death in the lower world, suddenly there shone upon us a great light, and Hades and And then was heard the voice the gates of death trembled. of the Son of the Father most high, as if the voice of a great thunder and loudly proclaiming. He thus charged them Lift up your gates, ye princes; lift up the everlasting gates; the King of glory, Christ the Lord, will come up to enter in. Then Satan, the leader of death, came up, fleeing in terror, saying to his officers and the powers below My officers, and all the powers below, run together, shut your gates, put up the iron bars, and fight bravely, and resist, lest they lay hold Then all his impious of us, and keep us captive in chains. officers were perplexed, and began to shut the gates of death with all diligence, and by little and little to fasten the locks and the iron bars, and to hold all their weapons^ grasped in their hands, and to utter bowlings in a direful and most
hast done in the lower world.
in darkness
;
: :

hideous voice.

Chap. 3 (19).— Then Satan said to Hades:
ready to receive him

Make

thyself

whom

I shall bring

down

to tliee.

There-

upon Hades thus
else

replied to Satan: That voice

than the cry of the Son of
all
'

was from nothing the Father most high, because
tlie

the earth and

the places of

world below so trembled
armamenta.

Ornamenta ; another MS.

lias

THE GOSPEL OF NICODEMUS.
tinder
are
it
:

217

wherefore I think that myself and
lying open.

all

my

dungeons
all

now

But

I

adjure thee, Satan, head of

own, bring him not to me, lest, while we wish to take him, we be taken captive by him. For if, at his voice only, all my power has been thus destroyed, what do you think he will do when he shall come in person ?
evils,^

by thy power and

my

To him

Satan, the leader of death, thus replied

:

What

art

thou crying out about ? Do not be afraid, my old most wicked friend, because I have stirred up the people of the Jews against him I have told them to strike him with blows on the face, and I have brought upon him betrayal by one of his disciples
;

is a man in great fear of death, because from fear he said. My soul is sorrowful, even unto death; and I have brought him to this, that he has just been lifted up and hanged on the cross. Then Hades said to him If he be the same who, by the mere word of his command, made Lazarus fly away like an eagle from my bosom, when he had already been dead four days, he is not a man in humanity, but God in majesty. I entreat thee not to bring him to me. And Satan says to him Make thyself ready nevertheless be not afraid because he is already hanging on the cross, I can do nothing else. Then Hades thus replied to Satan If, then, thou canst do nothing else, behold, thy destruction is at hand. I, in short, shall remain cast down and dishonoured; thou, however, wilt be tortured under my power.

and he

:

;

;

:

Chap. 4
of Satan

(20).

—And

the saints of

God heard

the wrangling

They, however, though as yet not at all recognising each other, were, notwithstanding, in the possession But our holy father Adam thus replied to of their faculties.

and Hades.

Satan at once
tremble
all
?

:

captain of death,
is

why

dost thou fear and
will

Behold, the Lord

coming,

who

now

destroy

thy inventions; and thou shalt be taken by Him, and bound throughout eternity.

Then

all

the saints, hearing the voice of our father
all points,

Adam,

how

boldly he replied to Satan in
;

m joy

and

all

were strengthened running together to father Adam, were crowded
*

Or, of all the wicked.

218
in one place.

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
Tlien our father

tude, wondered greatly whether all ot

Adam, gazing on all that multithem had been begotten

from him into the world. And embracing those who were standing everywhere around him, and shedding most bitter Eelate, my son Seth, tears, he addressed his son Seth, saying to the holy patriarchs and prophets what the guardian of
:

paradise said to thee,
oil of

when
I,

I sent thee to bring to

me
I

of that
iU.

compassion, in order to anoint
:

my

body when

was

Then he answered
of paradise, prayed
called

when thou

sentest

me

before the gates

and entreated the Lord with tears, and upon the guardian of paradise to give me of it therefrom. Then Michael the archangel came out, and said to me, Seth, why then dost thou weep ? Know, being informed beforehand,

Adam will not receive of this oil of compassion now, but after many generations of time. For the most beloved Son of God will come down from heaven into the world, and and then shall will be baptized by John in the river Jordan thy father Adam receive of this oil ^ of compassion, and all that And of those who have believed in him, their believe in him. kingdom will endure for ever.
that thy father
;

Chap. 5
in joy.

(21).

—Then
Holy

all

the saints, hearing this again, exulted

one of those standing round, Isaias by name, Father Adam, and all standing cried out aloud, and thundered round, hear my declaration. When I was on earth, and by the
:

And

teaching of

tlie

Spirit, in

The people who

sat in darkness

prophecy I sang of this light have seen a great light to them
;

dwelling in the region of the shadow of death light has arisen.

At these words father Adam, and all of them, turned and asked him Who art thou ? because what thou sayest is true. And he subjoined, and said My name is Isaias. Then appeared another near him, as if a hermit. And they asked him, saying Who art thou, who bearest such an appear: :

:

ance in thy body
Baptist, voice

the face

And he firmly answered I am John the and prophet of the Most High. I went before of the same Lord, that I might make the waste and
?^
:

rough

]3laces into plain
'

ways.

I with

my

finger pointed out
oleo, oil.

The text has

^

God, obviously a misprint for Or, who wearest such (things) on thy body.
deo,

THE GOSPEL OF NICODEMUS.
the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
Jordan,
in
I baptized

219
to

and made manifest the Lamb of the Lord, and Son of God,

Him

in the river

I heard the voice of the Father from heaven thunis

dering over Him, and proclaiming, This

whom I am well pleased. that He would descend to the
Then
claiming
father
:

I received from

my beloved Son, Him the answer

lower world.
this, cried

Adam, hearing
!

Alleluia

which

is,

interpreted.

with a loud voice, exThe Lord is certainly-

coming.

Chap. 6
nent as
it

(22).

—After
out,

that, another standing there, pre-emi-

were, with a certain

name, thus cried

made

revelations to

David by was upon earth, I the people of the mercy of God and His
of an emperor,

mark
:

and said

When

I

prophesying future joys, saying through all ages. Let them make confession to the Lord of His tender mercy and
visitation,

His wonderful works

to the sons of

men, because

He

has shat-

tered the gates of brass, and broken the bars of iron.

Then the

holy patriarchs and prophets began mutually to recognise each
other,

and each

to quote his prophecies.

Then holy Jeremias, examining
patriarchs and prophets
of the
:

his prophecies, said to the

Son of God, that
all

When I was upon earth, I prophesied He was seen upon earth, and dwelt with

men.

Then

the saints, exulting in the light of the Lord, and

in the sight of father

Adam, and

in the answering of all the
:

patriarchs and prophets, cried out, saying

Alleluia

!

blessed

is

Cometh in the name of the Lord so that at their crying out Satan trembled, and sought a way of escape. And he could not, because Hades and his satellites kept him bound in the lower regions, and guarded at all points. And they said to him Why dost thou tremble ? We by no means allow thee to go forth hence. But receive this, as thou art worthy, from Him whom thou didst daily assail but if not, know that thou, bound by Him, shall be in my keeping.
;
:

He who

;

Chap. 7
saying

(23).

—And again there came the voice of the Son of
it

the Father most high, as
:

Lift

up your

gates,

were the voice of a great thunder, ye princes and be ye lifted up, ye
;

220

THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS.
and the King of glory will come
:

everlasting gates,

in.

Then
:

Satan and Hades cried out, saying Who is the king of glory? And it was answered to them in the voice of the Lord The

Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. After this voice there came a man, whose appearance was that of a robber, carrying a cross on his shoulder, crying from the outside of the door, and saying Open to me, that I may come in. And Satan, opening to him a little, brought him
:

And

and again shut the door after him. clearly, and said to him forthwith Thy appearance is that of a robber. Tell us what it is that thou carriest on thy back. And he answered, and said with humility Truly I was a robber altogether and the Jews hung me up on a cross, along with my Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father most high. I, in fine, have come heralding * Him He indeed is coming immediately behind me.
inside into his dwelling,^
all

the saints saw

him most

:

:

;

;

Then holy David, inflamed with anger against Satan, cried out aloud Open thy gates, most vile wretch, that the King of In like manner also all the saints of God glory may come in. rose up against Satan, and would have seized him, and divided him among them. And again a cry was heard within Lift up your gates, ye princes and be ye lifted up, ye everlasting Hades and Satan, gates and the King of glory shall come in.
: :

;

;

at that clear voice, again asked, saying

:

Who

is

this

king of
voice

glory

?

And

it

was

said to
is

The Lord
Chap. 8

of powers,

He

them by that wonderful the King of glory.

(24).

— And,
and

behold, suddenly

Hades trembled, and

the gates of death and the bolts were shattered, and the iron
bars were broken
laid open.
fell to

the ground, and everything was

Satan remained in the midst, and stood confounded and downcast, bound with fetters on his feet. And, behold, the Lord Jesus Christ, coming in the brightness of light from on liigh, compassionate, great, and lowly, carrying a chain
in His hand,

And

bound Satan by the neck and again tying his hands behind him, dashed him on his back into Tartarus, and placed His holy foot on his throat, saying Through all ages
;
:

^

Hospitio.

2

PrcuconcUus, corrected to prceconaius, or

aiis.

THE GOSPEL OF NICODEMUS.
;

221

thou hast done many evils thou hast not in any wise rested. To-day I deliver thee to everlasting fire. And Hades being suddenly summoned. He commanded him, and said Take this most wicked and impious one, and have him in thy keeping
:

even to that day in which I shall command thee. soon as he received him, was plunged under the Lord along with him into the deptli of the abyss.
Chap. 9

And

he, as

feet of the

Then the Lord Jesus, the Saviour of all, affec(25). and most mild, saluting Adam kindly, said to him Peace be to thee, Adam, with thy children, through immeasurtionate
:

—
!

able ages of ages

Amen.

Then

father

Adam,
:

falling forward

His hands, and shed many tears, saying, testifying to all Behold the hands which fashioned me And he said to the Lord Thou hast come, O King of glory, delivering men, and bringing them into Thy everlasting kingdom. Then also our mother Eve in like manner fell forward at the feet of the Lord, and was raised erect, and kissed His hands, and poured forth tears in abundance, and said, testifying to all Behold the hands which
erect, kissed
!

at the feet of the Lord,

and being raised

:

:

made me Then all the saints, adoring Him, cried out, saying Blessed is He who cometh in the name of the Lord The Lord God hath shone upon us amen through all ages. Alleluia for Praise, honour, power, glory ever and ever because Thou hast come from on high to visit us. Singing Alleluia con:
!

—

—

!

!

tinually,

and rejoicing together concerning His glory, they ran Then the Saviour, inquiring thoroughly about all, seized Hades,^ immediately threw some down into Tartarus, and led some with Him to the upper
together under the hands of the Lord.

world.

God asked the Lord His holy cross in the lower world, that its most impious officers might not retain as an offender any one whom the Lord had absolved. And so it was done. And the Lord set His cross in the midst of Hades,
all

Chap. 10 (26).—Then

the saints of

to leave as a sign of victory the sign of

1

Momordtdit infernum, whicli
lihrixi

is

obviously corrupt.

The

translator maylight.

have read

«hv, bit Hades, for

'Siluxi «Sjjv,

brought Hades to

222

THE AFOCUYPHAL GOSPELS.
is

which

the sign of victory, and which will remain even to

eternity.

Then we all went forth thence along with the Lord, leaving Satan and Hades in Tartarus. And to ns and many others it
was commanded that we should
rise in the

body, giving in the

world a testimony of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of those things which had been done in the lower world. These are the things, dearest brethren, which we have seen, and which, adjured by you, we testify, He bearing witness who died for us, and rose again because, as it was written, so has it been done in all points.
;

Chap. 11
through,
all

(27).

— And when
it fell
!

the paper was finished and read

weeping bitterly, and saying through all Woe to us Why has this happened to us wretched ? Pilate flees Annas and Caiaphas flee the priests and Levites flee moreover also the people of the Jews, weeping and saying. Woe to us wretched we have shed sacred blood upon the
faces,

that heard

on their

and cruelly beating their
:

breasts, crying out,

;

;

;

!

earth.

For three days, therefore, and three nights, they did not taste all nor did any of them return to the synagogue. But on the third day again the council was assembled, and the other paper of Leucius was read tlirough and it was found neither more nor less, to a single letter, than that which the writing of Karinus contained. Then the synagogue was perplexed and they all lamented forty days and forty nights, looking for destruction from God, and the vengeance of God. But He, pitier affectionate and most high, did not immediately
bread and water at
;
;

;

destroy them, bountifully giving

them a place

of repentance.

But they were not found worthy
brethren, concerning Christ the
;

to be turned to the Lord.

These are the testimonies of Karinus and Leucius, dearest Son of God, and His holy deeds in the lower world to whom let us all give praise and
glory through immeasurable ages of ages.

Amen.

THE LETTER OF PONTIUS PILATE,
WHICH HE WROTE TO THE ROMAN EMPEROR, CONCERNING OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.

[ONTIUS PILATE
greeting.

to Tiberius

Casar the emperor,

Upon

Jesus Christ, whose case I had clearly set

forth to thee in

my

last, at

length by the will of the

people a bitter punishment has been inflicted, myself being in a man, by Hercules, so pious sort unwilling and rather afraid.

A

and strict, no age has ever had nor will have. But wonderful were the efforts of the people themselves, and the unanimity of all the scribes and chief men and elders, to crucify this ambassador of truth, notwithstanding that their own prophets, and after our manner the sibyls, warned them against it and supernatural signs appeared while he was hanging, and, in the opinion of philosophers, threatened destruction to the whole world. His disciples are flourishing, in their work and the
;

regulation of their lives not belying their master

;

yea, in his

name most

been afraid of the rising of a sedition among the people, who were just on the point of breaking out, perhaps this man would still have been alive to us although, urged more by fidelity to thy dignity than inbeneficent.
I not
;

Had

duced by
resist that

my own

wishes, I did not according to

my

strength

innocent blood free from the whole charge [brought against it], but unjustly, through the malignity of men, should
suffer, yet, as

be sold and
destruction,

the Scriptures signify, to their

own

Farewell.

28th March.

223

THE KEPOET OF PILATE THE PEOCURATOR
CONCERNING QUE LORD JESUS CHRIST,
SENT TO THE AUGUST^ C^ESAE IN HOME.

FIRST

GREEK FORM.

N

those days, our Lord Jesus Christ having been
crucified

under Pontius Pilate, procurator of Palesand Phoenicia, these records were made in Jierusalem as to what was done by the Jews against the Lord. Pilate therefore, along with his private report, sent them to the Csesar in Eome, writing thus To the most mighty, venerable, most divine, and most tertine
:

rible,

the august^ Caesar, Pilate the governor of the East [sends
I have,

greeting].

most mighty, a narrative to give tliee, on seized with fear and trembling. For in this government of mine, of which one of the cities is called Jerusalem, all the people of the Jews have delivered to me a man named Jesus, bringing many charges against him, which they were not able to convict him of by the consistency of their And one of the heresies they had against him was, evidence. that Jesus said that their Sabbath should not be a day of For he performed many leisure, and should not be observed. cures on that day he made the blind receive their sight, the lame walk he raised up the dead, he cleansed the lepers he healed paralytics that were not at all able to make any movement of their body, or to keep their nerves steady, but who had only speech and the modulation of their voice, and he gave them the power of walking and running, removing their illness by a single word. Another thing again, more powerful stUl,
account of which I

am

:

;

;

'

Or, Aiisustus.
22-t

THE REPORT OF PILATE.
:

225

which is strange even with our gods he raised up one that had been dead four days, summoning him by a single word, when the dead man had his blood corrupted, and when his body was destroyed by the worms produced in it, and when it had the stink of a dog. And seeing him lying in the tomb, he ordered liim to run. Nor had he anything of a dead body about him at all but as a bridegroom from the bridal chamber, so he came forth from the tomb filled with very great fragrance. And strangers that were manifestly demoniac, and that had their dwelling in deserts, and ate their own flesh, living like beasts and creeping things, even these he made to be dwellers in cities, and by his word restored them to soundness of mind, and rendered them wise and able and reputable, eating with all the enemies of the unclean spirits that dwelt in them for their destruction, which he cast down into the depths of the sea. And again there was another having a withered hand and not the hand only, but rather the half of the body of the man, was petrified, so that he had not the form of a man, or the power of moving his body. And him by a word he healed, and made sound. And a woman that had an issue of blood for many years, and whose joints^ and veins were drained by the flowing
; ;

of the blood, so that she did not present the appearance of a

human

being, but

was

like a corpse,

and was speechless every

day, so that all the physicians of the district could not cure her.

For there was not any hope of
his overshadowing her

life left to her.

And when

Jesus passed by, she mysteriously received strength through

and she took hold of his fringe behind, and immediately in the same hour power filled up what in her was empty, so that, no longer suffering any pain, she began to run swiftly to her own city Kepharnaum, so as to accomplish
;

the journey in six days.
these are the things which I lately had in my mind to which Jesus accomplished on the Sabbath. And other signs greater than these he did, so that I have perceived that the wonderful works done by him are greater than can be done

And

report,

by the gods whom we worship. And him Herod and Archelaus and
Caiaphas, with
.all
'

Philip,

the people, delivered to me,

Annas and making a great

Codex

A

has a better reading

—

arteries.

P

226
uproar against

THE REPORT OF PILATE
me
that I should try him.
I therefore ordered

him

to

be

crucified,

having

first

scourged him, and having

found against him no cause of evil accusations or deeds. And at the time he was crucified there was darkness over all the world, the sun being darkened at mid-day, and the stars appearing, but in them there appeared no lustre and the moon, And the world was as if turned into blood, failed in her light. swallowed up by the lower regions, so that the very sanctuary of the temple, as they call it, could not be seen by the Jews in their fall and they saw below them a chasm of the earth, with
; ;

the roar of the thunders that

fell

upon

it.^

And

in that terror

dead

men were
;

seen that had risen, as the Jews themselves
it

testified

and they said that

was Abraham, and

Isaac,

and

Jacob, and the twelve patriarchs, and Moses and Job, that had died, as they say, three thousand five hundred years before.

And

body

many whom I also saw appearing in the and they were making a lamentation about the Jews, on account of the wickedness that had come to pass through them, and the destruction of the Jews and of their law. And the fear of the earthquake remained from the sixth And on the hour of the preparation until the ninth hour. evening of the first day of the week there was a sound out of the heaven, so that the heaven became enlightened sevenfold more than all the days. And at the third hour of the night also the sun was seen brighter than it had ever shone before,
there were very
;

lighting

up

all

the heaven.

And

as lightnings

come suddenly

in winter, so majestic

men
:

appeared^ in glorious robes, an inJesus that was crucified
is

numerable multitude, whose voice was heard as that of a very
great thunder, crying out
risen
of Hades, ye that have been enslaved in the underground regions of Hades. And the chasm of the earth was as if it had no bottom ; but it was as if the very foundations of the

come up out

earth appeared along with those that cried out in the heavens, and walked about in the body in the midst of the dead that

had

risen.
:

And he
Say
to

that raised

up

all

the dead, and

bound

Hades, said
Galilee
;

my

disciples,

He

goes before you into

there shall
all

you

see him.

And
*

that night the light did not cease shining.
is

And

The

text here

very corrapt.

^

Or, so

men

appeared on high.

CONCERNING OUR LORD JESUS
many of the Jews
died,

CHRIST.

227

swallowed up in the chasm of the earth, most of those who had been against Jesus could not be found. Others saw the appearing of those that had risen, whom no one of us had ever seen.^ And only one^ synagogue of the Jews was left in this Jeruso that on the following day

salem, since all disappeared in that

fall.

and seized with a most have written what I saw at that time, and have reported to thy majesty. Having set in order also what was done by the Jews against Jesus, I have "^f^^^- it mv "•ord, to thy divinity.
that terror, being in perplexity,
frightful trembling, I
'

With

Tliis sentence also is

very corrupt.
is,

*

Another and more probable reading

not on«-

THE REPORT OF PONTIUS PILATE,
PROCURATOR OF JUDEA,
SENT TO ROME TO TIBERIUS CiESAR,

SECOND GREEK FORM.
the most miglity, venerable, awful, most divine, the
august,
I

—Pilatus Pontius, the governor

of the East

have to report to thy reverence, through this writing of mine, being seized with great trembling most mighty emperor, the conjuncture of the preand fear, For while I, sent times, as the end of these things has shown. my lord, according to the commandment of thy clemency, was discharging the duties of my government, which is one of the cities of the East, Jerusalem by name, in which is built the temple of the Jewish nation, all the multitude of the Jews came together, and delivered to me a certain man named Jesus, bringing against him many and groundless charges and they
;

were not able
theirs against

to convict

him

in anything.

And

one heresy of

him

was, that he said that the Sabbath was not

their right rest.
to

good works.
;

And that man wrought many cures, in addition He made the blind see; he cleansed lepers; he
he healed paralytics who could not move
at

raised the dead
all,

except that they only had their voice, and the joining of
;

their bones

running,

and he gave them the power of walking about and commanding [them] by a single word. And another mightier work he did, which was strange even with our gods he raised up a dead man, Lazarus, who had been dead four days, by a single word ordering the dead man to be raised, although his body was already corrupted by the worms that grow in wounds and that ill-smelling body lying in the tomb
;

he ordered to run and as a bridegroom from the bridal chamber, so he came forth out of the tomb, filled with exceeding
;

fragrance.

And some

that were cruelly vexed
228

by demons, and

THE REPORT OF PILATE.
liad their dwellings in deserts,

229

and ate the

limbs, and lived along with reptiles and wild heasts, he
to be dwellers in cities in their

rendered them sound-minded

;

own made own houses, and by a word he and he made those that were
flesh of their
;

troubled by unclean spirits to be intelligent and reputable

and

sending away the demons in them into a herd of swine, he Another man, again, who had a suffocated them in the sea.

withered hand, and lived in sorrow, and had not even the half of his body sound, he rendered sound by a single word. And
a

woman

that had a flow of blood for

many
all

years, so that, in

consequence of the flowing of her blood,

the joinings of her
;

bones appeared, and were transparent like glass and assuredly all the physicians had left her without hope, and had not
cleansed her, for there was not in her a single hope of health
once, then, as

Jesus was passing by, she took hold of the

and that same hour the power of her body was completely restored, and she became whole, as if nothing were the matter with her, and she began to run
fringe of his clothes behind,

swiftly to her

own

city Paneas.-'

so. And the Jews gave information that Jesus did these things on the Sabbath. And I also ascertained that the miracles done by him were greater

And

these things indeed were

than any which the gods whom we worship could do. Him then Herod and Archelaus and Philip, and Annas and Caiaphas, with all the people, delivered to me to try liim. And
as

many were

exciting an insurrection against me, I ordered

him

to be crucified.
crucified, there

And when he had been

was darkness over
so that the stars

the whole earth, the sun having been completely hidden, and
the heaven appearing dark though
it

was day,

appeared, but had at the same time their brightness darkened,
as I suppose your reverence is not ignorant
of,

because in

all

the world they lighted lamps from the sixth hour until evening.

night,

the moon, being like blood, did not shine the whole and yet she happened to be at the full. And the stars also, and Orion, made a lament about the Jews, on account of the wickedness that had been done by them.^
'

And

This

is

a conjecture of Thilo's.

The Mss. have

Spania.
:

*

Instead of this last sentence, one of the Mss. has

And

the whole world was

230

THE REPORT OF PILA TE.
first of the week, about the third hour of the was seen such as it had never at any time shone, And as lightnings come the heaven was lighted up.

And on

the

night, the sun

and all on in winter, so majestic men of indescribable splendour of dress and of glory appeared in the air, and an innumerable Glory in the multitude of angels crying out, and saying highest to God, and on earth peace, among men goodwill come up out of Hades, ye who have been kept in slavery in the underground regions of Hades. And at their voice all the mountains and hills were shaken, and the rocks were burst asunder; and great chasms were made in the earth, so that also what was in the abyss appeared. And there were seen in that terror dead men raised up,^ as the Jews that saw them said We have seen Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and the twelve patriarchs, that died two thousand five hundred years ago and we have seen Noah manifestly in the body. And all the multitude walked about, and sang praises to God with a loud voice, saying The Lord our God that has risen from the dead has brought to life all the dead, and has plundered Hades, and put him to death.
: :

;

:

All that night therefore,
not.

my

lord,

king, the light ceased

and were engulphed and swallowed up in the chasms in that night, so that not even Those, I say, of the Jews suffered that their bodies appeared. had spoken against Jesus. And one synagogue was left in Jerusalem, since all those synagogues that had been against Jesus were engulphed. From that fear, then, being in perplexity, and seized with much trembling, at that same hour I ordered what had been done by them all to be written and I have reported it to thy
of the
died,
;

And many

Jews

mightiness.
shaken by unspeakable miracles, and all the creation was like to be swallowed up by the lower regions so that also the sanctuary of their temple ^yas rent from top to bottom. And again there was thunder, and a mighty noise from
;

heaven, so that
feet,
'

all

our land shook and trembled.

to be earthquakes in the

hour in which the

nails

Another And there began were fixed in Jesus' hands and
:

until evening.

One

MS. adds

:

To the number

of five hundred.

THE GIVING UP OF PONTIUS PILATE.

the writings having come to the city of the Eomans, and having been read to the Caesar, with not a few standing by, all were astounded, because through the wickedness of Pilate the darkness and the earthquake had come over the whole world. And the Csesar, filled with rage, sent soldiers, and ordered them to bring
Pilate a prisoner.

ND

And when

he was brought to the city of the Eomans, the
•

Caesar, hearing that Pilate

had

arrived, sat in the temple of the

gods, in the presence of all the senate,

and

all

the multitude of his power

;

and with all the army, and he ordered Pilate to

stand forward.^
miracles in that

And
man
:

the Caesar says to
to

him

:

Why hast

thou,

most impious, dared
?

do such things, having seen so great By daring to do an evil deed, thou hast

destroyed the whole world.

And
things

And

almighty ^ king, I am innocent of these but the multitude of the Jews are violent and guilty. the Caesar said And who are they ? Pilate says Herod,
Pilate said
;
: :

Archelaus,

Pliilip,

of the Jews.

Annas and Caiaphas, and all the multitude The Caesar says For what reason didst thou
:

foUow out their counsel ? And Pilate says Their nation is rebellious and insubmissive, not submitting themselves to thy
:

And the Caesar said: When they delivered him to thou oughtest to have made him secure, and to have sent him to me, and not to have obeyed them in crucifying such a man, righteous as he was, and one that did such good miracles, as thou hast said in thy report. For from such miracles Jesus
power.
thee,

was manifestly the

Christ, the

King

of the Jews.

And
name
1

as the Caesar

was thus speaking, when he named the

of Christ, all the multitude of the gods fell
Or, in the entrance.
2

down

in a

auToxpurap.

231

232

THE GIVING UP OF PILATE.

body, and became as dust, where the Csesar was sitting with the senate. And the people standing beside the Csesar all

on account of the speaking of the word, and and being seized with terror, they all went away, each to his own house, wondering at what had happened. And the Ccesar ordered Pilate to be kept in security, in order that he might know the truth about Jesus. And on the following day, the Caesar, sitting in the Capitol with all the senate, tried again to question Pilate. And the
to tremble,

began

the

fall of their

gods

;

Caesar says Tell the truth, most impious, because through thy impious action which thou hast perpetrated against Jesus, even here the doing of thy wicked deeds has been shown by
:

the gods having been cast down.
the gods
true
;

has been crucified; because even his
?

Pilate said

:

who is he that name has destroyed all And indeed the records of him are
Say, then,

myself was persuaded from his works that he was greater than all the gods whom we worship. And the Csesar said For what reason, then, didst thou bring against him such audacity and such doings, if thou wert not ignorant of him, and altogether devising mischief against my kingdom ?
for assuredly I
:

Pilate said

:

On

account of the wickedness and rebellion of the

lawless and ungodly Jews, I did this.
filled with rage, held a council with all and his power, and ordered a decree to be written against the Jews as follows :— To Licianus, the governor of the' chief places of the East, greeting. The reckless deed which has been done at the present time by the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the cities of the Jews round about, and their wicked action, has come to my knowledge, that they have forced Pilate to crucify a certain god named Jesus, and on account of this great fault of theirs the world has been darkened and dragged to destruction. Do thou then speedily, with a multitude of soldiers, go to them there, and make them prisoners, in accordance with this decree. Be obedient, and take action against them, and scatter them, and make them slaves among all the nations and having driven them out of the whole of Judea, make them the smallest of nations, so that it may not any

And

the Caesar, being

his senate

;

longer be seen at

all,

because they are full of wickedness.^
1

The text

is

very corrupt.

THE GIVING UP OF PILATE.
And
of the
this decree

233

having come into the region of the East,
left in

Licianus, obeying from fear of the decree, seized all the nation

Judea he scattered it was known to the Caesar that these things had been done by Licianus against the Jews in the region of the East and it pleased him. And again the Csesar set himself to question Pilate and he

Jews

;

and those that were

among

the nations, and sold for slaves:^ so that

;

;

orders a captain

named Albius

to cut off Pilate's head, saying

Just as he laid hands upon the just man named Christ, in like manner also shall he fall, and not find safety.

And
saying:

Pilate,

going

away

to

the

place,

prayed in

silence,

Lord,

do not destroy

me

along with the wicked

Hebrews, because I would not have laid hands upon Thee, except for the nation of the lawless Jews, because they were exciting rebellion against me. But Thou knowest that I did Do not then destroy me for this my sin but it in ignorance. Lord, and against Thy servant remember not evil against me, Procla, who is standing with me in this the hour of my death, whom Thou didst appoint to prophesy that Thou shouldest be Do not condemn her also in my sin but nailed to the cross. pardon us, and make us to be numbered in the portion of Thy
;
;

righteous.

And, behold, when Pilate had finished his prayer, there came All the generations and families of the nations shall count thee blessed, because under thee have been fulfilled all those things said about me by the prophets and thou thyself shalt be seen as my Mdtness at my
a voice out of the heaven, saying
:

;

second appearing,

when

I shall

judge the twelve tribes of

Israel,

and those that have not owned my name. And the prefect struck off the head of Pilate and, behold, an angel of the Lord received it. And his wife Procla, seeing the angel coming and
;

receiving his head, being filled with joy herself also, immediately

gave up the ghost, and was buried along with her husband.^
'

Lit.,

2

One

of the Mss. adds

Christ, to

he made to be slaves in the dispersion of the Gentiles. By the will and good pleasiire of our Lord Jesus whom be the glory of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost,
:

now and

ever,

and

to ages of ages.

Amen.

THE DEATH OF PILATE WHO CONDEMNED JESUS.

;ISrD

cured

all

when Tiberius Csesar, the emperor of the Eomans, was labouring under a grievous disease, and understanding that there was at Jerusalem a certain physician, Jesus by name, who by a single word infirmities, he, not knowing that the Jews and Pilate
to death, ordered a certain friend of his

had put

Him
:

named
;

Volusianus

Go
tell

as quickly as possible
Pilate,

across the seas

and

thou shalt

my
may

servant and friend, to send
restore

me

this physician, that

he

me

to

my

former health.

And

this Volusianus, having heard the emperor's command, immediately departed, and came to Pilate, as he had been commanded. And he related to the same Pilate what had

been entrusted to him by Tiberius Ccesar, saying: Tiberius Csesar, the emperor of the Eomans, thy master, having heard
that in this city there
is

a physician

who by

his

word alone
to

heals infirmities, begs thee earnestly to send

him

him

for

the curing of his infirmity.

Pilate, hearing

this,

was very

much
saying

afraid,

to be put to death.
:

loiowing that through envy he had caused Him Pilate answered the same messenger thus,

himself

man who drew to men of the And this city was held, and I caused him to be crucified. messenger returning to his inn, met a certain woman named
This
all

man was

a malefactor, and a

the people; so a council of the wise

Veronica,

who had been

a friend of Jesus; and he said:

woman, a
death
?

certain physician

the sick by a word alone,

my God

she began to and my Lord, whom Pilate for envy delivered, condemned, and ordered to be crucified. Then he, being exceedingly grieved, said I am vehemently grieved that I am unable And to accomplish that lor which my lord had sent me. When my Lord was going about Veronica said to him preaching, and I, much against my will, was deprived of His presence, I wished His picture to be painted tor me, in order
:
!

And

who was in this city, who cured why have the Jews put him to weep, saying Ah me my lord,

:

:

234

THE DEATH OF PILATE.
that, while I

235
figure of

was deprived of His presence, the

picture might at least afford

me

consolation.

And when

carrying the canvas to the painter to be painted,

my

His was Lord met
I

me, and asked whither I was going.
to

Him

the cause of
it

my

journey.

And when I had disclosed He asked of me the cloth,

and gave
rable face.
face,^

back to

me

impressed with the image of His vene-

Therefore, if thy lord will devoutly gaze upon His he shall obtain forthwith the benefit of health. And he
:

said to her
silver
?

Is a picture of such a sort ptrocurable
:

by gold

or

but by the pious influence of devotion. I shall therefore set out with thee, and shall carry the picture to be seen by Caesar, and shall come back again.
;

She said to him

No

to Tiberius the emperor

Volusianus therefore came with Veronica to Eome, and said Jesus, whom thou hast been longing for, Pilate and the Jews have delivered to an unjust death,
:

and have through envy affixed to the gibbet of the cross. There has therefore come with me a certain matron, bringing a picture of Jesus himself; and if thou wilt devoutly look upon it, thou shalt immediately obtain the benefit of thy health. Caesar therefore ordered the way to be strewn with silk cloths, and the picture to be presented to him and as soon as he had looked upon it, he regained his former health. Pontius Pilate, therefore, by the command of Caesar, is taken and brought through to Eome. Caesar, hearing that Pilate had arrived at Eome, was filled with exceeding fury against him, and caused him to be brought to him. But Pilate brought down with him the seamless tunic of Jesus and he wore it on him in presence of the emperor. And as soon as the emperor saw him, he laid aside all his anger, and forthwith rose up to meet him. Nor was he able to speak harshly to him in any; ;

thing

;

and he who seemed so
is

terrible

and

fierce in his absence,

now

in his presence

somehow found

to be mild.

And when

he had sent him away, immediately he blazed out against him terribly, crying out that he was a wretch, inasmuch as he had not at all shown him the fury of his heart. And immediately he made him be called back, swearing and declaring that he was the son of death, and that it was infamous that he should live upon the earth. And as soon as he saw him, he forthwith
'Or, upon the
siglit of this.

236

THE DEATH OF PILATE.
away
all

saluted him, and threw

the ferocity of his mind.

All

wondered

and he himself wondered that he should thus blaze out against Pilate when he was absent, and that while he was
;

present he could say nothing to
divine impulse, or perhaps

him roughly. Then, by a by the advice of some Christian,^ he caused Mm to be stripped of that tunic, and immediately resumed against him his former ferocity of mind. And when at this the emperor wondered very much, it was told him that Then the emperor that tunic had belonged to the Lord Jesus. ordered him to be kept in prison, until he should deliberate in a council of the wise men what ought to be done with him. And a few days after, sentence was therefore passed upon Pilate, that he should be condemned to the most disgraceful
death.
Pilate, hearing this, killed himself
life.
:

with his

own

knife,

and by such a death ended his

When

Csesar

knew
is

of the death of Pilate, he said

has died by a most disgraceful death,
not spared.

whom

his

own hand

Truly he has

bound to a great mass, and sunk But malignant and filthy spirits in his malignant and filthy body, all rejoicing togetlier, kept moving themselves in the waters, and in a terrible manner brought lightnings and tempests, thunders and hail-storms, in the air,
therefore
into the river Tiber.

He

men were kept in horrible fear. Wherefore the Romans, drawing him out of the river Tiber, in derision carried him down to Vienna, and sunk him in the river Elione. For Vienna is called, as it were, [Via Gehennse], the way of Gehenna, because it was then a place of cursing. But there evil spirits were present, working the same things in the same place. Those men therefore, not enduring such a visitation of demons, removed from themselves that vessel of malediction, and sent
so that all

him

to be buried in the territory of Losania.^

And

they, seeing

that they were troubled by the aforesaid visitations, removed

him from themselves, and sunk him in a certain pit surrounded by mountains, where to this day, according to the account of
some, certain diabolical machinations are said to bubble up.
^ *

is the first appearance of the word Christian in these writings. Losonium was the Roman name of Lausanne. For a discussion of

This

this

legend concerning

Mont

Pilate, near Lucerne, see Smith's

Dictionary oj the Bible^

under

Pilate.

THE NAKKATIVE OF JOSEPH.

NARRATIVE OF JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA, THAT BEGGED THE LORD'S BODY; IN WHICH ALSO HE BRINGS IN THE CASES OF THE TWO ROBBERS.

CHAPTEE
[AM] Joseph
^1
to the law,
;

I.

of Arimathea, wlio begged from Pilate

the body of the Lord Jesus for burial, and
this cause

who

for

was kept

close in prison

by the mur-

'

^ Jews, who also, keeping have by Moses himself become partakers in tribulation and having provoked their Lawgiver to anger, and not knowing that He was God, crucified Him, and made Him manifest to those that knew God. In those days in which they

derous and God-fighting

condemned the Son of God to be crucified, seven days before Christ suffered, two condemned robbers were sent from Jericho and their case was as follows to the procurator Pilate The first, his name Gestas, put travellers to death, murdering them with the sword, and others he exposed naked. And he hung up women by the heels, head down, and cut off their breasts, and drank the blood of infants' limbs, never having
;

:

known God,

not obeying the laws, being violent from the be-

ginning, and doing such deeds.

And the case of the other was as follows He was called Demas, and was by birth a Galilean, and kept an inn. He made attacks upon the rich, but was good to the poor a thief
:

—

like Tobit, for he buried the bodies of the poor.^

And he
and
i.

set

his

hand
1

to robbing the multitude of the Jews,
God-killing.
*

stole the
17, 18.

MS. C has

Tobit

237

238

THE NARRATIVE OF JOSEPIL
^

law

itself in

Jerusalem, and stripped naked the daughter of
priestess of the sanctuary,

Caiaphas,

who was

from

its

place the mysterious deposit itself placed there

and took away by

Solomon.

Such were

his doings.

And

Jesus also was taken on the third day before the pass-

and the multitude ot was a great mourning to them, on account of the plundering of the sanctuary by the robber. And they summoned Judas Iscariot, and spoke to him, for he was [son] of the brother^ of Caiaphas the priest. He was not a disciple before the face of Jesus but all the multitude of the Jews craftily supported him, that he might follow Jesus, not that he might be obedient to the miracles done by Him, nor that he might confess Him, but that he might betray Him to them, wishing to catch up some lying word of Him,
over, in the evening.
it

And

to Caiaphas
it

the Jews

was not a passover, but

;

giving

him

gifts for

of a half shekel of gold each day.

such brave, honest conduct to the amount And he did this for two

years with Jesus, as says one of His discijjles called John.

on the third day, before Jesus was laid hold of, Judas Jews Come, let us hold a council for perhaps it was not the robber that stole the law, but Jesus himself, and And when these words had been spoken, NicoI accuse him. demus, who kept the keys of the sanctuary, came in to us, and For Nicodemus was true, said to all Do not do such a deed. more than all the multitude of the Jews. And the daughter of Caiaphas, Sarah by name, cried out, and said He himself said
says to the
:

And

;

:

:

before all against this holy place, I

am

able to destroy this
to her

temple, and in three days to raise

it.

The Jews say

Thou

hast credit with all of us.

prophetess.

And

assuredly, after
of.

For they regarded her as a the council had been held,

Jesus was laid hold

Chap. 2. And on the following day, the fourth day of the week, they brought Him at the ninth hour into the hall of Caiaphas. And Annas and Caiaphas say to Him Tell us, why hast
:

—

thou stolen our law, and renounced
*

^

the ordinances of Moses
:

*

*

Perhaps the true reading is vaiv, and not voV«i' plundered the temple. MS. B has And they say that he was of the family of the sister, etc. Tischendorf suggests utr'iKfv-^as, hidden, for i-riKrtpvlas,
:

THE NARRATIVE OF JOSEPH.
and the prophets
?

239

And

Jesus answered nothing.

And

again

a second time, the multitude also being present, they say to
years,

Him: The why

sanctuary which Solomon built in forty and six
dost thou wish to destroy in one

moment

?

And

to

these things Jesus answered nothing.

For the sanctuary of the
all

synagogue had been plundered by the robber. And the evening of the fourth day being ended,

the mul-

titude sought to burn the daughter of Caiaphas, on account of

the loss of the law for they did not know how they were to keep the passover. And she said to them Wait, my children, and let us destroy this Jesus, and the law will be found, and the holy feast will be fully accomplished. And secretly Annas and Caiaphas gave considerable money to Judas Iscariot, saying: Say as thou saidst to us before, I know that the law has been stolen by Jesus, that the accusation may be turned against him, and not against this maiden, who is free from blame. And Judas having received this command, said to them Let not all the multitude know that I have been instructed by you to do this against Jesus but release Jesus, and I persuade the multitude that it is so. And craftily they released Jesus.
;
:

:

;

And

Judas, going into the sanctuary at the
:

dawn

of the fifth

you give me, and I will give up to you the overthrower ^ of the law, and the plunderer of the prophets ? The Jews say to him If thou wilt give him up to us, we will give thee thirty pieces of gold. And the people did not know that Judas was speaking about Jesus, for many of them confessed that he was the Son of God. And Judas received the thirty pieces of gold. And going out at the fourth hour, and at the fifth, he finds Jesus walking in the street. And as evening was coming on, Judas says to the Jews Give me the aid of soldiers with swords and staves, and I will give him up to you. They therefore gave him officers for the purpose of seizing Him. And as they were going along, Judas says to them Lay hold of the man whom I shall kiss,. for he has stolen the law and the prophets. Going up to Jesus, therefore, he kissed Him, saying Hail, Eabbi it being the evening of the fifth day. And having laid hold of Him, they gave Him up to Caiaphas and the chief priests,
day, says to all the peeple
will
: :
:

What

:

!

1

Or, taker away.

240

THE NARRATIVE OF JOSEPH.
:

Judas saying

This

is

he who
?

stole the

law and the prophets.
saying
:

And

the Jews gave Jesus an unjust

trial,

Why

hast

thou done these things

And

he answered nothing.

And Nicodemus and
stood
ofi'

I Joseph, seeing the seat of the plagues/

from them, not wishing to perish along with the

counsel of the ungodly.

Chap.

3.

— Having therefore
dawn
for this

done many and dreadful things

against Jesus that night, they gave

Him up
came

to Pilate the pro-

curator at the

of the preparation, that he

might crucify
After a
to be nailed

Him; and
trial,

purpose they

all

together.

therefore, Pilate the procurator ordered

Him

to the cross, along with the

two robbers.

And

np along with
right.

Jesus, Gestas on the

left,

they were nailed and Demas on the
out, saying to
;

And
Jesus
if I
:

he that was on the
See

left

began to cry

how many evil deeds I have done in the earth and had known that thou wast the king, I should have cut o£f
also.

thee

And why

dost thou call thyself
?

Son

of God,

and
it

canst not help thyself in necessity
to another one praying for help
?

how

canst thou afford

If

thou art the Christ, come

down from

the cross, that I

may

believe in thee.

But now I

man, but like a wild beast. And many other things he began to say against Jesus, blaspheming and gnashing his teeth upon Him. For the robber was taken alive in the snare of the devil.^ But the robber on the right hand, whose name was Demas,
see thee perishing along with me, not like a

seeing the Godlike grace of Jesus, thus cried out: I know Thee, Jesus Christ, that Thou art the Son of God. I see Thee, Christ, adored by myriads of myriads of angels. Pardon me my sins

which I have done.

Do

not in

my

trial

make

the stars

come

against me, or the moon,

when Thou
is

shalt judge all the world

because in the night I have accomplished

my

wicked purposes.
of

Do

not urge the sun, which
tell

now darkened on account
for

no gift can I give Thee for the remission of my sins. Already death is coming upon me because of my sins but Thine is the propitiation. Deliver me, Lord of all, from Thy fearful judgment. Do not give the
Thee, to the evils of
;

my heart,

^

Following the reading of the

LXX.

in Ps.

i.

1.

*

2 Tim.

ii.

26.

THE NARRATIVE OF JOSEPH.
enemy power
as of that of
to

241

swallow
is

me

him who

up, and to become heir of my soul, hanging on the left for I see how the
;

body disappears. Do not even order me to go away into the portion of the Jews for I see Moses and the patriarchs in great weeping, and the devU
devil joyfully takes his soul,

and

his

;

rejoicing over them.

Before, then,

Lord,

my

spirit departs,

washed away, and remember me the sinner in Thy kingdom, when upon the great most lofty throne ^ Thou Tor Thou hast preshalt judge the twelve tribes of Israel.^ pared great punishment for Thy world on account of Thyself. And the robber having thus spoken, Jesus says to him: Amen, amen I say to thee, Demas, that to-day thou shalt be
order
sins to be
;

my

with

And the sons of the kingdom, the children of Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and Moses, shall be cast out into outer darkness there shall be weeping and gnashme
in paradise.'
;

ing of teeth.*

And

thou alone shalt dwell in paradise until
I

my

second appearing,

when

am

to

judge those
:

who do

not confess

my

name. And He said to the robber Go away, and tell the cherubim and the powers, that turn the flaming sword, that guard paradise from the time that Adam, the first created, was in paradise, and sinned, and kept not my commandments, and I And none of the first shall see paradise cast him out thence. until I am to come the second time to judge living and dead. And He wrote thus Jesus Christ the Son of God, who have come down from the heights of the heavens, who have come
:

forth out of the

bosom
and

of the invisible Father without being

separated from Him,^ and
to be

who have come

dow^n into the world

made

flesh,

to be nailed to a cross, in order that I

might save Adam,

whom I fashioned,

—

to

ihe gatekeepers of paradise, to the officers of

my archangelic powers, my Father I will
:

and order that he who has been

crucified along with
;

me

should

go in, should receive remission of sins through me and that he, having put on an incorruptible body, should go in to paradise,

and dwell where no one has ever been able to dwell. And, behold, after He had said this, Jesus gave up the ghost, on the day of the preparation, at the ninth hour. And there was darkness over all the earth and from a great earthquake
;

1

Or,

3

upon the great throne of the Most High. * Matt. viii. 11, 12. Luke xxiii. 43.

«

Matt. xix. 28.
inseparably.

^ Lit.,

Q

242

THE NARRATIVE OF JOSEPH.
fell

that happened, the sanctuary

down, and the wing of the

temple.

Chap.
it

4.

— And

I

Joseph hegged the body of Jesus, and put
put.

in a

new tomb, where no one had been
;

And

of the

robber on the right the body was not found
left,

but of him on the

form of a dragon, so was his body. had begged the body of Jesus to bury, the Jews, carried away by hatred and rage, shut me up in prison, where evil-doers were kept imder restraint. And this happened to me on the evening of the Sabbath, whereby our nation transgressed the law. And, behold, that same nation of ours endured fearful tribulations on the Sabbath. And now, on the evening of the first of the week, at the fifth hour of the night, Jesus comes to me in the prison, along with the robber who had been crucified with Him on the right, whom
as the

And

after I

He

sent into paradise.

building.

And

and the place

was a great light in tlie hung up by the four corners, was opened, and I came out. Then I first recogthere

And

the house was

nised Jesus, and again the robber, bringing a letter to Jesus.

And

as we were going into Galilee, there shone a great light, which the creation did not produce. And there was also with

the robber a great fragrance out of paradise.

And Jesus, having sat down in a certain place, thus read We, the cherubim and the six-winged, who have been ordered by Thy Godhead to watch the garden of paradise, make the following statement through the robber who was crucified along with Thee, by Thy arrangement When we saw the print of the
:

nails of the robber crucified along

with Thee, and the shining
the
fire

light of the letter of

Thy Godhead,^

indeed was extin;^

guished, not being able to bear the splendour of the print

and we crouched down, being in great fear. For we heard that the Maker of heaven and earth, and of the whole creation, had come down from on high to dwell in the lower parts of the earth, on account of Adam, the first created. And when we beheld the undefiled cross shining like lightning from the
*

Or, the shiuing light of the letter, the

fire

of the Godhead,

we indeed were

extinguished.
a i.e.

of the nails.

THE NARRATIVE OF JOSEPH.

243

robber, gleaming with sevenfold the light of the sun, trembling
fell upon us. We felt a violent shaking of the world below ^ and with a loud voice, the ministers of Hades said, along with us Holy, holy, holy is He who in the beginning was in the highest. And the powers sent up a cry Lord, Thou hast been made manifest in heaven and in earth, bringing joy to the world and, a greater gift than this, Thou hast freed Thine own image from death by the invisible purpose of the ages.
; :
:

;

had beheld these things, as I was going and the robber, Jesus was transfigured, and was not as formerly, before He was crucified, but was altogether light and angels always ministered to Him, and Jesus spoke with them. And I remained with Him three days. And no one of His disciples was with Him, except the robber
Chap.
5.

—After
;

I

into Galilee with Jesus

alone.

And
ciple

in the middle of the feast of unleavened bread. His dis-

John comes, and we no longer beheld the robber as to what took place. And John asked Jesu^ Who is this, that Thou hast not made me to be seen by him ? But Jesus answered him nothing. And falling down before Him, he said Lord, I know that Thou hast loved me from, the beginning, and why dost Thou not reveal to me that man 1 Jesus says to him Why dost thou seek what is hidden ? Art thou still without understanding 1 Dost thou not perceive the fragrance of paraDost thou not know who it is ? The dise filling the place ? robber on the cross has become heir of paradise. Amen, amen I say to thee, that it shall belong to him alone until that the great day shall come. And John said Make me worthy to
: :

:

:

behold him.

And
earth.

while John was yet speaking, the robber suddenly
;

and John, struck with astonishment, fell to the the robber was not in his first form, as before John came but he was like a king in great power, having on him the cross. And the voice of a great multitude was sent forth Thou hast come to the place prepared for thee in paradise. We have been commanded by Him that has sent thee, to serve thee And after this voice, both the robber and imtil the great day.
appeared

And

;

:

^

The

text is liere corrupt

;

but

tliis

seems to be the meaning.

244

THE NARRATIVE OF JOSEPH.
;

I Josepli vanished, and I was found in

my own house and I no longer saw Jesus. And I, having seen these things, have written them down, in
order that

Lord, and

all may believe in the crucified Jesus Christ our may no longer obey the law of Moses, but may be-

lieve in the signs

and wonders that have happened through we who have believed may inherit eternal life, and be found in the kingdom of the heavens. For to Him are due glory, strength, praise, and majesty for ever and

Him, and

in order that

ever.

Amen.

THE AVENGING OF THE SAVIOUE.

[This version of the legend of Veronica is written in very barbarous Latin, probably of the seventh or eighth century. An Anglo-Saxon version, which Tischendorf concludes to be
derived from the
Latin, was edited and translated for the Cambridge Antiquarian Society, by C. W. Goodwin, in 1851. The Anglo-Saxon text is from a MS. in the Cambridge Library, one of a number presented to the Cathedral of Exeter by Bishop Leofric in the beginning of the eleventh century. The reader will observe that there are in this document two that of distinct legends, somewhat clumsily joined together Nathan's embassy, and that of Veronica.]

—

HERE BEGINNETH THE AVENGING OF THE SAVIOUR.

N

the days of the

Herod was
Pontius
Tiberius.

tetrarch,

Pilate

Emperor Tiberius Caesar, when Christ was delivered under by the Jews, and revealed by

In those days Titus ^ was a prince under Tiberius in the
region of Equitania, in a city of Libia which
dalla.
is

called Burgi-

And

Titus had a sore in his right nostril, on account

of a cancer,

and he had
;

his face torn even to the eye.

There

went
son of

forth a certain

man from

Judea, by

to land,

for he was an Ishmaelite and from sea to sea, and in all the ends of the earth. Now Nathan was sent from Judea to the Emperor Tiberius, And Tiberius was to carry their treaty to the city of Eonie.
'

Nahum

name Nathan the who went froiji land

The Saxon version has
245

Tiius.

246
ill,

THE AVENGING OF THE SAVIOUR.
and
full of ulcers

And Nathan

and fevers, and had nine kinds of leprosy. wished to go to the city of Eome. But the north wind bleAv and hindered his sailing, and carried him down to

the harbour of a city of Libia.

Now
;

Titus, seeing the ship

was from Judea and they all wondered, and said that they had never seen any vessel so coming from And Titus ordered the captain to come to him, that quarter. and asked him who he was. And he said I am Nathan the son of Nahum, of the race of the Ishmaelites, and I am a subcoming,
that
it
:

knew

ject of Pontius Pilate in Judea.
to Tiberius the

And

I

have been sent to go

Eoman

emperor, to carry a treaty from Judea.

And a strong wind came down upon the sea, and has brought me to a country that I do not know. And Titus says If thou couldst at any time find anything
:

either of cosmetics or herbs

which could cure the wound that

thou seest, so that I should become whole, and regain my former health, I should bestow upon thee many good things. And Nathan said to him I do not know, nor have I ever known, of such things as thou speakest But for all that, if thou hadst been some time to me about. ago in Jerusalem, there thou wouldst have found a choice prophet, whose name was Emanuel, for He will save His people
I have in
face, as
:

my

from their sins. And He, as His first miracle in Cana of Galilee, made wine from water; and by His word He cleansed lepers. He enlightened the eyes of one born blind, He healed paralytics, He made demons flee, He raised up three dead; a woman caught

condemned by the Jews to be stoned, He and another woman, named Veronica, who suffered twelve years from an issue of blood, and came up to Him behind, and touched the fringe of His garment. He healed and with five loaves and two fishes He satisfied five thousand men, to say nothing of little ones and women, and there remained All these things, and many of the fragments twelve baskets. After His reothers, were accomplished before His passion. surrection we saw Him in the flesh as He had been before. And Titus said to him: How did he rise again from the And Nathan answered and dead, seeing that he was dead ? said He was manifestly dead, and hung up on the cross, and again taken down from the cross, and for three days He lay
in adultery, and
set free
;

;

:

THE AVENGING OF THE SAVIOUR.
in the

217

tomb
to

;

thereafter

He

rose again
tlie
;

from the dead, and went

down

Hades, and freed

patriarchs and the prophets,

and the whole human race thereafter He appeared to His thereafter they saw Him going disciples, and ate with them up into heaven. And so it is the truth, all this that I tell you. For I saw it with my own eyes, and all the house of And Titus said in his own words Woe to thee, Israel. Emperor Tiberius, full of ulcers, and enveloped in leprosy, because such a scandal has been committed in thy kingdom
;
:

because thou hast

made such laws^

in Judea, in the land of

the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, and they have seized the

King, and put to death the Euler of the peoples
not

;

and they have

made Him come

to us to cure thee of
:

thy leprosy, and

cleanse

me from mine infirmity on which account, if they had been before my face, with my own hands I should have slain the carcases of those Jews, and hung them up on the cruel tree, because they have destroyed my Lord, and mine eyes have not been worthy to see His face. And when he had thus spoken, immediately the wound fell from the face of Titus, and his flesh and his face were restored to health. And all the sick who were in the same place were made whole in that hour. And Titus cried out, and all the rest with him, in a loud voice, saying: My King and my God, because I have never seen Thee, and Thou hast made me whole, bid me go with the ship over the waters to the land of Thy birth, to take vengeance on Thine enemies and help Lord, that I may be able to destroy them, and avenge me, Thy death do Thou, Lord, deliver them into my hand. And having thus spoken, he ordered that he shouW be baptized. And he called Nathan to him, and said to him: How hast thou seen those baptized who believe in Christ? Come to me, and baptize me in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.^ For I also firmly believe in the Lord Jesus Christ wdth all my heart, and with all my
;
:

1

Reges, kings, instead of

leges, as

suggested by Mr. Cowper,

is

a

much

better

reading.
^ Sax. Then Nathan came, and baptized him in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost, and took away from him his name of Tiius, and called him in his baptism Titus, which is in our language Pius.
:

248
soul

THE AVENGING OF THE SAVIOUR.
;

because nowhere in the whole world

is tliere

another

who

has created me, and made

me whole from my wounds.

And
to
if for

come with
war.

having thus spoken, he sent messengers to Vespasian all haste with his bravest men, so prepared as

Then Vespasian brought with him five thousand armed men, and they went to meet Titus. And when they had come to
the city of Libia, he said to Titus
:

Why
:

is

it

that thou hast

made me come hither ? And he said Know that Jesus has come into this world, and has been born in Judea, in a place
which is called Bethlehem, and has been given up by the Jews, and scourged, and crucified on Mount Calvary,^ and has risen again from tlie dead on the third day. And His disciples have seen Him in the same flesh in which He was born, and He has shown Himself to His disciples, and they have believed in Him. And we indeed wish to become His disciples. Now, let us go and destroy His enemies from the .earth, that they may now know that there is none like the Lord our God on the face of
the earth.

they went forth from the city of and went on board a ship, and proceeded to Jerusalem, and surrounded the kingdom of And when the Jews, and began to send them to destruction.
this design, then,
is

With

Libia which

called Burgidalla,^

the kings of the
their land, fear

Jews heard of their doings, and the wasting of came upon them, and they were in great perplexity. Then Archelaus ® was perplelxed in his words, and said to his son My son, take my kingdom and judge it and
:

;

take counsel with the other kings

who

are

in the land of

Judah, that you And having thus
;

able to escape from our enemies. he unsheathed his sword and leant ujDon it and turned his sword, which was very sharp, and thrust it And his sou allied himself with the into his breast, and died. other kings who were under him, and they took counsel among themselves, and went into Jerusalem with their chief men who were in their counsel, and stood in the same place seven years. And Titus and Vespasian took counsel to surround their city.
said,
^

may be

Note the popular but erroneous appellation of Mount.
Sax. omits which
is

*

called Burgldalla.

'

Sax.

:

And Herod

the king was so terrified, that he said to Archelaus his son.

TEE AVENGING OF THE SAVIOUR.
And
they did
so.

249
there
to

And

tlie

seven years being
for

fulfilled,

was a very
eat earth.

sore famine,

and

want

of bread they

began

Then all the soldiers who were of the four kings took counsel among themselves, and said Now we are sure or of what good is our life to die what will God do to us to us, because the Eomans have come to take our place and
: :

.?

nation

?

It is better for us to kill each other,

than that the

Eomans should say
victory over us.
selves,

that they have slain us, and gained the

And

they drew their swords and smote themof twelve thousand

and

died, to the

Then

there

number was a great stench
;

men

of them.

in that city from the corpses of

those dead men.

And their kings feared with a very great fear even unto death and they could not bear the stench of them, nor bury them, nor throw them forth out of the city. And they said to each other What shall we do ? We indeed gave up Christ to death, and now we are given up to death ourselves. Let us bow our heads, and give up the keys of the city to the Eomans, because God has already given us up to death. And immediately they went up upon the walls of the city, and all cried out with a loud voice, saying Titus and Vespasian, take the keys of the city, which have been given to you by Messiah,
:
:

who

is

called Christ.

Then they gave themselves up into the hands of Titus and Vespasian, and said Judge us, seeing that we ought to die, because we judged Christ and he was given up without cause. Titus and Vespasian seized them, and some they stoned, and some they hanged on a tree, feet up and head down, and struck them through with lances and others they gave up to be sold, and others they divided among themselves, and made four parts of them, just as they had done of the garments of the Lord. And they said They sold Christ for thirty pieces of silver, And so and we shall sell thirty of them for one denarius.
:

;

;

:

they

did.

And

having done

so,

they seized

all

the lands of

Judea and Jerusalem.

Then they made

a search about the face or portrait^ of Jesus,
it.^

how
^

they might find

And

they found a

woman named
him

Veronica
Lit.,
'

who had

it.

Then they

seized Pilate, and sent

countenance.
:

Sax.

And

they inquired diligently whether perchance there were there any

250

THE AVENGING OF THE SAVIOUR.

by four quaternions of soldiers at the Then they forthwith sent their messengers to Tiberius, the emperor of the city of Eome, that he should send Velosianus to them. And he said to him Take all that is necessary for thee in the sea, and go down into Judea, and seek out one of the disciples of him who was called Christ and Lord, that he may come to me, and in the name of his God cure me of the leprosy and the infirmities by which I
to prison, to be guarded

door of the prison.

:

am daily exceedingly burdened, and of my wounds, because And send iipon the kings of the Jews, who I am iU at ease. are subject to my authority, tliy forces and terrible engines,
because they have put to death Jesus Christ our Lord, and condemn them to death. And if thou shalt there find such a

man

as

may

be able to free

will believe in Christ the

me from this infirmity of mine, I Son of God, and will baptize myself
:

in his name.

such a

man

as

And Velosianus said My lord emperor, if I find may be able to help and free us, what reward
him
?

shall I promise

Tiberius said to
to

him

:

The half

of

my

kingdom, without

fail,

be in his hand.
forth,

Then Velosianus immediately went
the ship, and hoisted the
sail in

and went on board

the vessel, and went on sailing

through the sea. And he sailed a year and seven days, after which he arrived at Jerusalem. And immediately he ordered some of the Jews to come to his power, and began carefully to ask what had been the acts of Christ. Then Joseph, of the city of Arimathea, and Nicodemus, came at the same time. And Nicodemus said I saw Him, and I know indeed that He And Joseph said to him And I is the Saviour of the world. took Him down from the cross, and laid Him in a new tomb, which had been cut out of the rock. And the Jews kept me shut up on the day of the preparation, at evening and while I was standing in prayer on the Sabbath-day, the house was hung up by the four corners, and I saw the Lord Jesus Christ And like a gleam of light, and for fear I fell to the groimd. He said to me. Look upon me, for I am Jesus, whose body And I said to Him, Show me thou buriedst in thy tomb.
: :

;

the sepulchre Nvhere I laid Thee.
one who had miraculous
things
;

And

Jesus, holding

my

His clothing, or other precious and they sought so diligently, that tliey fuund a woniiui, etc.
relics of the Saviour, of

THE AVENGING OF THE SAVIOUR.
hand
Him.^
in His right hand, led

231
I buried

me

to the place

where

And
to
:

there

came

also the

him And

I touched in the

because for twelve years I

Veronica, and said crowd the fringe of His garment, had suffered from an issue of blood

woman named

and

He
:

immediately healed me.

Then Velosianus
:

said to

Thou, Pilate, impious and cruel, why hast thou slain the Son of God ? And Pilate answered His own nation,
Pilate

and the chief

priests

Annas and Caiaphas, gave him

to me.

Velosianus said: Impious and cruel, thou art worthy of death

and cruel punishment.

And

he sent him back to prison.

And
:

Velosianus at last sought for the face or the countenance of the Lord. And all who were in that same place said It is
the

woman

called Veronica

who

has the portrait of the Lord

immediately he ordered her to be brought he said to her Hast thou the portrait of the Lord in thy house ? But she said, No. Then Velosianus ordered her to be put to the torture, until she should give up the portrait of the Lord. And she was forced to say I have it in clean linen, my lord, and I daily adore it.
in her house.
before his power.

And

And

:

:

Velosianus said
of the Lord.

:

Show

it

to

me.

Then she showed the
it,

portrait

he prostrated himself on the ground and with a ready heart and true faith he took hold of it, and wrapped it in cloth of gold, and placed it in a casket, and sealed it with his ring. And he swore with an oath, and said As the Lord God liveth, and by the health of Coesar, no man shall any more see it upon the face of the
;
:

When

Velosianus saw

earth, until I see the face of

my

lord Tiberius.

he had thus spoken, the princes, who were the chief
Judea, seized Pilate to take him to a seaport.
the portrait of the Lord, with
all

And when men of And he took
all

His

disciples,

and

in his

pay, and they went on board the ship the same day.

Then

the

woman

Veronica, for the love of Christ,
:

left all

that she

1 111 the Saxon, Joseph's speech is I know that they took Him down from the cross, and laid Him in the tomb which I had cut out of the rock. And I was one of those who guarded His tomb and I bent my head and thought 1 sliouhl see Him, but I beheld nothing of Him, but saw two angels, one at the head and the other at the foot, and they asked me whom I was seeking. 1 answered and said to tliem, I seek Jesus who was crucified. Again they said
;

to me,

Go

into Galilee

;

there shall you see

Him,

as

He

said to

you

before.

252
possessed,

THE AVENGING OF THE SAVIOUR.
What

and followed A''elosianus. And Velosianus said to dost thou wish, woman, or what dost thou seek? And she answered: I am seeking the portrait of our Lord Jesus Christ, who enlightened me, not for my own merits, but through His own holy affection.^ Give back to me the portrait of my Lord Jesus Christ; for because of this I die with a righteous longing. But if thou do not give it back to me, I will not leave it until I see where thou wilt put it, because I, most miserable woman that I am, will serve Him all the days of my life; because I believe that He, my Eedeemer,
her:
liveth for everlasting.

Then Velosianus ordered the woman Veronica to be taken down with him into the ship. And the sails being hoisted, they began to go in the vessel in the name of the Lord, and
they sailed through the

But Titus, along with Vespasian, sea. went up into Jadea, avenging all nations upon their land.^ At the end of a year Velosianus came to the city of Eome, brought his vessel into the river which is called Tiberis, or Tiber, and entered the city which is called Eome. And he sent his messenger to his lord Tiberius the emperor in the Lateran
about his prosperous
arrival.

Then Tiberius the emperor, when he heard the message of Velosianus, rejoiced greatly, and ordered him to come before his face. And when he had come, he called him, saying .Velosianus, how hast thou come, and what hast thou seen in the region of Judea of Christ the Lord and his disciples ? Tell me, I beseech thee, that he is going to cure me of mine
•

infirmity, that I

may be at once cleansed from that leprosy have over my body, and I gi^^e up my \\'hole kingdom into thy power and his. And Velosianus said My lord emperor, T found thy servants Titus and Vespasian in Judea fearing the Lord, and they were
which
I
:

'

A few lines of the text are here very connipt,
:
!

and are omitted by Tischendorf.

The meaning
hast treated

And woe's me, because, contrary to the Law, thou of them is me most unjustly. Ah vvoe's me, because thou hast taken my Lord from me just as the Jews did contrary to the law in crucifying in this world the Lord Jesus Christ, whom the eyes of your Ctesar have not seen. But woe's me have I done contrary to the law Have I deserved to sutler tliis
;
!

?

punishment
^

?

Or, taking vengeance

upon

all

the nations of

ilieir

land.

THE AVENGING OF THE SAVIOUR.
cleansed from
Titus
all

253
I found

their ulcers

and

sufferings.

And

that all the kings and rulers of Judea have been hanged
;

by
to

Annas and Caiaphas have been

stoned, Archelaus has

killed himself with his

own

lance

;

and I have sent Pilate

Damascus in bonds, and kept him But I have also found out about

in prison under safe keeping.

Jesus,

whom

the Jews most
;

wickedly attacked with swords, and staves, and weapons and they crucified him who ought to have freed and enlightened

and to have come to us, and they hanged him on a tree. Joseph came from Arimathea, and Nicodemus with him, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds, to anoint the body of Jesus and they took him down from the cross, and laid him in a new tomb. And on the third day he most assuredly rose again from the dead, and showed himself to his disciples in the same flesh in which he had been born. At length, after forty days, they saw him going up into heaven. Many, indeed, and other miracles did Jesus before his passion and after. First, of water he made wine he raised the dead, he cleansed lepers, he enlightened the blind, he cured paralytics, he put demons to flight; he made the deaf hear, the dumb speak Lazarus, when four days dead, he raised from the tomb the woman Veronica, who suffered from an issue of blood twelve years, and touched the fringe of his garment, he made whole. Then it pleased the Lord in the heavens, that the Son of God, who, sent into this world as the first-created, had died upon earth, should send his angel; and he commanded Titus and Vespasian, whom I knew in that place where thy throne is. And it pleased God Almighty that they went into Judea and Jerusalem, and seized thy subjects, and put them under that sentence, as it were, in the same manner as they did when thy subjects seized Jesus and bound him. And Vespasian afterwards said What shall we do about those who shall remain ? Titus answered They hanged our Lord on a green tree, and struck him with a lance now let us hang them on a dry tree, and pierce their bodies through and through with the lance. And they did so. And Vespasian said: What about those who are left ? Titus answered They seized the tunic of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of it made four parts now let us seize them, and divide them into four parts, to thee one, to me
us,

And

;

;

;

:

:

;

:

;

—

254

THE AVENGING OF THE SAVIOUR.
men
so.

one, to tliy

another, and to

my

servants the fourth part.
:

And

they did

And

Vespasian said
?

But what

shall
:

about those
of

who

are left

Titus answered
:

him
let
so.

we do The Jews

sold our Lord for thirty pieces of silver

now
J.

us

sell thirty

them

for

one piece of

silver.

And

they did

And

they

seized Pilate,
to

and gave him np to me, and put him in prison, he guarded by four quaternions of soldiers in Damascus.
great diligence to seek the

Then they made a search with
portrait of the

Lord

;

and they fomid a

woman named
the
?

Veronica
I

who had
have
it

the portrait of the Lord.
:

Then
it

Emperor Tiberius
he answered
:

said to Velosianus

How

hast thou

And

in clean cloth of gold, rolled

up

in a shawl.

And

the

Emperor Tiberius

said: Bring it to me,

my
may

face, that I, falling to the

and spread it before ground and bending my knees,

Then Velosianus spread out his adore it on the ground. shawl with the cloth of gold on which the portrait of the Lord had been imprinted; and the Emperor Tiberius saw it. And he immediately adored the image of the Lord with a pure heart,
and
all

his flesh Avas cleansed as the flesh of a little child.

And

the blind, the lepers, the lame, the dumb, the deaf, and

by various diseases, who were there present, And the Emperor were healed, and cured, and cleansed. Tiberius bowed his head and bent his knees, considering that saying Blessed is the womb which bore Thee, and the breasts which Thou hast sucked and he groaned to the Lord^ saying with tears God of heaven and earth, do not permit me to sin, but confirm my soul and my body, and place me in Thy kingdom, because in Thy name do I trust always: free me from all evils, as Thou didst free the three children from the
those possessed
:

;

:

furnace of blazing

fire.
:

Emperor Tiberius to Velosianus Velosianus, hast thou seen any of those men who saw Christ ? Velosianus

Then

said the

answered
those

:

I have.

He

said

:

Didst thou ask

how they
:

baptize

who believed in Christ ? Velosianus said Here, my Then he lord, we have one of the disciples of Christ himself. Nathan ordered Nathan to be summoned to come to him. therefore came and baptized him in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. Immediately the Emperor Tiberius, made whole from all his diseases; ascended

THE AVENGING OF THE SAVIOUR.
:

2.55

upon his throne, and said Blessed art Thou, Lord God Almighty, and worthy to be praised, who hast freed me from the snare of death, and cleansed me from all mine iniquities
because I have greatly sinned before Thee,

and I

am

not worthy to see

Thy

face.

And

Lord my God, then the Emperor

Tiberius was instructed in all the articles of the faith, fully, and

with strong

faith.

God Almighty, who is King of Idngs and Lord of lords, Himself shield us in His faith, and defend us, and deliver us from all danger and evil, and deign to bring us to life everlasting, when this life, which is temporary, shall fail who is blessed for ever and ever. Amen.
that same
:

May

ACTS OF THE HOLY APOSTLES

PETER AND PAUL.

came to pass, after Paul went out of the island Gaudomeleta/ that he came to Italy and it was heard of by the Jews who were in Eome, the elder of the cities, that Paul demanded to come to Csesar. Having fallen, therefore, into great grief and much despondjIT
;

ency, they said

among themselves
all
;

:

It does not please

him

that

he alone has

afflicted all

and Samaria, and in

our brethren and parents in Judea Palestine and he has not been pleased
also,

against Paul, and having seemed good to them to go to Nero the emperor, [to ask him] not to allow Paul to come Having therefore got in readiness not a few preto Eome. sents, and having carried them with them, with supplication good We beseech thee, they came before him, saying emperor, send orders into all the governments of your worship, because to the effect that Paul is not to come near tliese parts this Paul, having afflicted all the nation of our fathers, has been

Having

therefore

made an assembly
it

considered

many

proposals,^

:

;

seeking to come hither to destroy us most worshipful emperor, which

also.

And

the

affliction,
is

we have from Peter
things,

enough

for us.

And
'

the

Emperor Nero, having heard these

answered

tlie
2

In the Latin version of Lambeciiis proposes to read Gaudos and Melita. famous Greek scholar Lascaris, 1490, it is a Melita et Gaudisio insulis. TpaxTaia-avris from the Byzantine verb Tpaxrai^tiy — tractate. The various
: :

readings in the Mss. are

Being very disorderly; having been much disturbed.
256

ACTS OF PETER AND PAUL.

257

them: It is^ according to your wish. And we write to all our governments that he shall not on any account come to anchor in the parts of Italy. And they also informed Simon
the magian, having sent for him, that, as has been said, he should

not come into the parts of Italy.

And

while they were thus doing, some of those that had

repented out of the nations, and that had been baptized at the preaching of Peter, sent 'elders to Paul with a letter to the following effect Paul, dear servant of our Lord Jesus Christ,
:

and brother of Peter, the first of the apostles, we have heard from the rabbis of the Jews that are in this Eome, the greatest
of the cities, that they have asked Caesar to send into all his governments, in order that, wherever thou mayst be found, thou mayst be put to death. But we have believed, and do believe,

on the twentieth of the month of May, became eager [to go], and gave thanks to the Lord and Master Jesus Christ. And having sailed from Gaudomeleta, he did not now come through Africa to the parts of Italy, but ran to Sicily, until he came to the city of Syracuse with the two men who had been sent from Eome to him. And having sailed thence, he came to Ehegium of Calabria, and from Ehegium he crossed to Mesina, and there ordained a bishop, Bacchylus by name. And when he came out of Mesina he sailed to Didymus, and remained there one night. And having sailed thence, he came to Pontiole ^ on the
second day.

And Dioscorus the shipmaster, who brought him to Syracuse, sympathizing with Paul because he had delivered his son from death, having left his own ship in Syracuse, accompanied him And some of Peter's disciples having been found to Pontiole.
there,

them.

and having received Paul, exhorted him to stay with And he stayed a week, in hiding, because of the comof Ctesar.

mand
'

And
it

all 'the

toparchs were watching to seize
will write, etc.
''

Various reading: Let

be

.

.

.

and we

Puteoli.

258

ACTS OF THE HOLY APOSTLES
kill

and

him.

But Dioscorus the shipmaster, being

liimself

also bald, wearing his shipmaster's dress,

and speaking boldly, on the first day went out into the city of Pontiole. Thinking therefore that he was Paul, they seized him, and beheaded him, and sent his head to Csesar. Caesar therefore, having summoned the first men of the Jews, announced to them, saying Eejoice with great joy, for Paul your enemy is dead. And he showed them the head. Having therefore made great rejoicing on that day, which was the
:

fourteenth of the
lieved
it.

month

of June, each of the

Jews

fully be-

And Paul, being in Pontiole, and having heard that Dioscorus had been beheaded, being grieved with great grief, gazing into Lord Almighty in heaven, the height of the heaven, said who hast appeared to me in every place whither I have gone oh account of Thine only-begotten Word, our Lord Jesus Christ, punish this city, and bring out all who have believed in God and followed His word. He said to them therefore Follow me. And going forth from Pontiole with those who had believed in the word of God, they came to a place called Baias ;^ and looking up with their eyes, they all see that city called Pontiole sunk into the sea-shore about one fathom and there it is until this day, for a remembrance, under the sea. And having gone forth from Baias, they went to Gaitas, and there he taught the word of God. And he stayed there three days in the house of Erasmus, wdiom Peter sent from Eome to teach the gospel of God. And having come forth from Gaitas, he came to the castle called Taracinas, and stayed there seven days in the house of Csesarius the deacon, whom. Peter had ordained by the laying on of hands. And sailing thence, he came by the river to a place called Tribus Tabernes. And those who had been saved out of the city of Pontiole, that had been swallowed up, reported to Csesar in Eome that Pontiole had been swallowed up, wdth all its multitude. And the emperor, being in great grief on account of the city, having summoned the chief of the Jews, said to them: Behold, on account of what I heard from you, I have caused Paul to be
: :

;

^ The geographical names are given in the peculiar forms of the aionaUy the usual forms, such as Bai«, occur.

text.

Occa-

PETER AND PAUL.
And
Jews

259

beheaded, and on account of this the city has been swallowed
lip.

the chief of the

said to Csesar

:

Most worshipful
all

emperor, did

we not

say to thee that he troubled
?

the country

of the East, and perverted our fathers

It is better therefore,

•most worshipful emperor, that one city be- destroyed, and not

the seat of thine empire

;

for this

had Kome

to suffer.

And

the emperor, having heard their words, was appeased.

And
rape
;

Paul stayed in Tribus Tabernes four days.
is

And

depart-

ing thence, he came to Appii Forum, which

called Vicusa-

and having slept there that night, he saw one sitting on a golden chair, and a multitude of blacks standing beside him, saying I have to-day made a son murder his father. Another
:

And I have made a house fall, and kill parents with children. And they reported to him many evil deeds — some of one kind, some of another. And another coming, reported to him I have managed that the bishop Juvenalius, whom Peter ordained, should sleep with the abbess Juliana. And having
said
:

:

heard

all

these things

when

sleeping in that Appii Forum, near

Vicusarape, straightway and immediately he sent to
of those

Eome

one

who had

followed

him from

Pontiole to the bishop

Juvenalius, telling
done.

him

this

same thing which had just been

And on

the following day, Juvenalius, running, threw

himself at the feet of Peter, weeping and lamenting, and saying

what had and said
awaiting.
is

just befallen
:

;

and he recounted

to

him

the matter,

I believe that this is the light

which thou wast
possible that
it

And

Peter said to him
is

:

How

is it

dead ? And Juvenalius the bishop took to Peter him that had been sent by Paul, and he reported to him that he was alive, and on his way, and that he was at Appii Forum. And Peter thanked and glorified the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Then having summoned his disciples that believed, he sent
he when he
to Paul as far as Tribus Tabernes. And the distance from Eome to Tribus Tabernes is tliirty-eight miles.^ And Paul seeing them, having given thanks to our Lord Jesus Christ, and departing thence, they slej)t in the city took courage

them

;

called Aricia.
J

The distance was

thirty-three mile's.

In the Antonine liinerary,

"To

Aricia

is

sixteen miles, to Tres Tahernse seventeen miles, to Appii

Forum

teia

miles."

260

ACTS OF THE HOLY APOSTLES
a report went about in the city of

And

Eome

that Paul the

brother of Peter was coming.
rejoiced with great joy.

And

those that believed in

God

And

there was great consternation
to

among

the Jews

;

and having gone
:

Simon the magian, they
is

entreated him, saying
dead, but that he

Report to the emperor that Paul
is

not

is alive,

the Jews
Pontiole
?

:

What head Was it not

and has come. And Simon said to it, then, which came to Caesar from
?

bald also

having come to Rome, great fear fell upon the Jews. They came together therefore to him, and exhorted him, Vindicate the faith in which thou wast born saying for it is not right that thou, being a Hebrew, and of the Hebrews, shouldst call thyself teaclier of Gentiles, and vindicator of
:

And Paul

;

the uncircumcised

;

and, being thyself circumcised, that thou

shouldst bring to nought the faith of the circumcision.^

And

when thou
lie

seest Peter, contend against his teaching, because
all

has destroyed

the bulwarks of our law;

for

he has
the

prevented the keeping of Sabbaths and
holidays appointed by the law.
:

new moons, and
;

And

Paul, answering, said to

them That I am a true Jew, by this you can prove because also you have been able to keep the Sabbath, and to observe
the true circumcision
;

for assuredly

God

rested from all His works.

We

on the day of the Sabbath have fathers, and patri-

What, then, does Peter preach in the kingBut if he shall wish to bring in any ? new teaching, without any tumult, and envy, and trovible, send him word, that we may see, and in your presence I shall convict him. But if his teaching be true, supported by the book and testimony of the Hebrews, it becomes all of us to submit to him. Paul saying these and such like things, the Jews went and said to Peter Paul of the Hebrews has come, and entreats thee to come to him, since those who have brought him say that he cannot meet whomsoever he may wish until he appear before Csesar. And Peter having heard, rejoiced with great joy and rising up, immediately went to him. And seeing each other, they wept for joy and long embracing each other, they bedewed
archs,

and the law.

dom

of the Gentiles

:

;

;

each other with
1

tears.

And when Paul had
Or, do

related to Peter the substance
*

-

of all

away

with, belief in cii-cumcision.

Lit.,

web

or tissue.

PETER AND FA UL.
liis

261

doings, and how, through the disasters of the ship, he had come, Peter also told him what he had suffered from Simon the magian, and all his plots. And having told these things,

he went away towards evening. And in the morning of the following day, at dawn, behold, Peter coming, finds a multitude of the Jews before Paul's door. And there was a great uproar between the Christian Jews and the Gentiles. For, on the one hand, the Jews said We are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, the friends of Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, with whom God spake, to whom He showed His own mysteries and His great wonders. But you of the Gentiles are no great thing in your lineage if otherwise, you have become polluted and abominable by idols and graven images. While the Jews were saying such things, and such-like, those of the Gentiles answered, saying We, when we heard the truth, straightway followed it, having abandoned our errors. But you, both knowing the mighty deeds of your fathers, and seeing the signs of the prophets, and having received the law, and gone through the sea with dry feet, and seen your enemies sunk in its depths, and the pillar of. fire by night and of cloud by day shining upon you, and manna having been given to you out of heaven, and w^ater flowing to you out of a rock,
:

;

:

you fashioned to yourselves the idol of and worshipped the graven image. But we, having seen none of the signs, believe to be a Saviour the God whom you have forsaken in unbelief. While they were contending in these and such-like words, the Apostle Paul said that they ought not to make such attacks upon each other, but that they should rather give heed to this, that God had fulfilled His promises which He swore to Abraham our father, that in his seed he should inherit all the For there is no respect of persons with God.^ As nations.^ many as have sinned in law shall be judged according to law, and as many as have sinned without law shall perish without But we, brethren, ought to thank God that, according law.^ to His mercy, He has chosen us to be a holy people to Himr
after all these things

a

calf,

*

Gen.

xii. 3, xvii. 5.
ii.

s

Eom.

11

;

Eph.

vi.

9; Col.

iii.

25; Jas.

ii.

I.

'

Kom.

ii.

12,

262

ACTS OF THE HOLY APOSTLES
we ought
tb boast,

self: so that in this

whether Jews or Greeks

;

you are all one in the belief of His name. And Paul having thus spoken, both the Jews and they of But the rulers of the Jews asthe Gentiles were appeased.
for

sailed Peter.

And

Peter,

when they accused him
:

of having

renounced their synagogues, said Hear, brethren, the Holy Spirit about the patriarch David, promising, Of the fruit of thy womb shall He set upon thy throne.^ Him therefore to whom the Father said, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten Thee, the chief priests through envy crucified; but that He might accomplish the salvation of the world, it was allowed Just as, therefore, that He should suffer all these things.^ from the side of Adam Eve was created, so also from the side of Christ was created the church, which has no spot nor
.

blemish.

In Him,^ therefore, God has opened an entrance to

all

the sons of Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in order that they

be in the faith of profession towards Him,^ and have life and salvation in His name. Turn, therefore, and enter into the joy of your father Abraham, because God hath fulfilled what He promised to him. Whence also the prophet says, The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent Thou art a priest for For a priest He became ever, after the order of Melchizedec* upon the cross, when He offered the whole burnt-offering of His own body and blood as a sacrifice for all the world. And Peter saying this and such-like, the most part of the people believed. And it happened also that Nero's wife Libia, and the yoke-feUow of Agrippa the prefect, Agrippina by name, thus believed, so that also they went away from beside their own husbands. And on account of the teaching of Paul, many, despising military life, clung to God so that even from the emperor's bed-chamber some came to him, and having become Christians,
:

may

;

were no longer willing

to return to the army or the palace. When, consequently, the people were making a seditious murmuring, Simon, moved with zeal, rouses himself, and began to

*

Ps. cxxxii. 11.

2

Or,

He

allowed Himself to suffer
all

all these things.

'

Qr,

by Him.

* i.e.,

That
;

may

profess their faith iu

Him.

For similar expressions, see

2 Cor.
5

ix. 13,

Ps. ex. 4

Heb. x. 23. Heb. vii. 21.

PETER AND PAUL.
say

263

many evil things about Peter, saying that he was a wizard and a cheat. And they believed him, wondering at his miracles for he made a brazen serpent move itseK, and stone statues to laugh and move themselves, and himself to run and suddenly to be raised into the air. But as a set-off to these, Peter healed the sick by a word, by praying made the blind to see, put demons to flight by a command sometimes he even raised the
;

he said to the people that they should not only flee from Simon's deceit, but also that they should expose him, that they might not seem to be slaves to the devil. And thus it happened that all pious men abhorred Simon
dead.

And

the magian, and proclaimed

him impious.

But those who

adhered to Simon strongly affirmed Peter to be a magian, bearing false witness as many of them as were with Simon the
so that the matter came even to the" ears of Nero the and he gave order to bring Simon the magian before him. And he, coming in, stood before him, and began suddenly to assume different forms, so that on a sudden he became a child, and after a little an old man, and at other times a young man; for he changed himself both in face and stature into different forms, and was in a frenzy, having the devil as his servant. And Nero beholding this, supposed him to be truly the son of God but the Apostle Peter showed him to be both a liar and a wizard, base and impious and apostate, and in aU things opposed to the truth of God, and that nothing yet remained except that his wickedness, being made apparent by the command of God, might be made manifest to them all. good Then Simon, having gone in to Nero, said: Hear, emperor I am the son of God come down from heaven. Until now I have endured Peter only calling himself an apostle; but now he has doubled the evil for Paul also himself teaches the same things, and having his mind turned against me, is

magian
Csesar,

;

;

:

:

said to preach along with

him

;

in reference to
it is

whom,

if

thou

shalt not contrive their destruction,

very plain that thy

kingdom cannot stand. Then Nero, fiUed with concern, ordered to bring them speedily And on the following day Simon the magian, and before him. Peter and Paul the apostles of Christ, having come in to Nero, Simon said These are the disciples of the Nazarene, and it is
:

264
not at
all
:

ACTS OF THE HOLY APOSTLES
well that they should be of the people of the Jews.
:

Nero said What is a Nazarene ? Simon said There is a city of Judah which has always been opposed to us, called Nazareth, and to it the teacher of these men belonged. Nero said God commands us to love every man why, then, dost thou persecute them ? Simon said This is a race of men who have Nero said to turned aside all Judea from believing in me. Peter Why are you thvis unbelieving, according to your race ?^ Then Peter said to Simon: Thou hast been able to impose upon all, but upon me never; and those who have been deceived, God has through me recalled from their error. And since thou hast learned by experience that thou canst not get the better of me, I wonder with what face thou boastest thyself before the emperor, and supposest that through thy magic art Nero said Who tliou shalt overcome the disciples of Christ. is Christ ? Peter said He is what this Simon the magian affirms himself to be but this is a most wicked man, and his works are of the devil. But if thou wishest to know, good emperor, the things that have been done in Judea about Christ, take the writings of Pontius Pilate sent to Claudius, and thus thou wilt know all. And Nero ordered them to be brought, and to be read in their presence and they were to the follow:

;

:

:

:

:

;

;

ing effect:^

Pontius Pilate to Claudius, greeting. There has lately happened an event which I myself was concerned in. For the Jews through envy have inflicted on themselves, and those Their fathers had coming after them, dreadful judgments. promises that their God would send them his holy one from
heaven,

who

according to reason should be called their king,

and he had promised to send him to the earth by means of a virgin. He, then, when I was procurator, came into Judea. And they saw^ him enlightening the blind, cleansing lepers, healing paralytics, expelling demons from men, raising the dead, subduing the winds, waUcing upon the waves of the sea,
^

i.e..

lation has
2

do you happen, as a race, to be so unbelieving ? The Latin transKara roZ y'lvous for Kccra ro yiyas. For another translation of this letter, see Latin Gospel of Nicodemus, oh.
:

How

against your race

xiii.

(xxix.)

3

Or, 1 saw.

PETER AND PAUL.

265

and doing many other wonders, and all the people of the Jews Then the chief priests, moved with calling him Son of God. envy against him, seized him, and delivered him to me and telling one lie after another, they said that he was a wizard, and did contrary to their law. And I, having believed that these things were so, gave him up, after scourging him, to their will;^ and they crucified him, and after he was buried set guards over liim. But he, while my soldiers were guarding him, rose on the third day. And to such a degree was the wickedness of the Jews inflamed against him, that they gave money to the soldiers, saying. Say his disciples have stolen his body. But they, having taken the money, were not able to keep silence as to what had happened for they have testified that they have seen him (after he was) risen, and that they have received money from the Jews. These things, therefore, have I reported, that no one should falsely speak otherwise, and that thou shouldest not suppose that the falsehoods of the Jews are to be
;

;

believed.

And
were
is full

the letter having been read,

ISTero

said
?

:

Tell me, Peter,
:

all

these things thus done by

were, with your permission,

good emperor.

of lies and deceit,- even if it he is not a god. And in Christ there is all excellent victory through God and through man,^ which that incomprehensible glory assumed which through man deigned to come to the assistance of men. But in this Simon there are two essences, of man and of devil, who through man endeavours to ensnare men.

—

They Simon should seem that he is what
Peter said

him

For

this

Simon said I wonder, good emperor, that you reckon this of any consequence a man uneducated, a fisherman of the poorest, and endowed with power neither in word nor by rank. But, that I may not long endure him as an enemy, I shall forthwith order my angels to come and avenge me upon
:

man

—

him.

Peter said: I

am

not afraid of thy angels; but they

me in the power and trust of my Lord Jesus Christ, whom thou falsely declarest thyself to be. Nero said Art thou not afraid, Peter, of Simon, who confirms his godhead by deeds ? Peter said Godhead is in Him
shall be

much more
:

afraid of

:

^

Or, to tlieir council.

2

,•_

g_

human

nature.

2G6

ACTS OF THE HOLY APOSTLES
searcheth the hidden things of the heart.^
I

who

Now
is,

then, tell I disclose

me what
tells lies

am

thinking about, or what I

am

doing.

to thy servants

who
it,

are here

what

my
may
:

thought

before he
lie as to

about

in order that he

not dare to

what I am thinking about. Nero said Come hither, and tell me what thou art thinking about. Peter said Order a barley And when loaf to be brought, and to be given to me secretly. he ordered it to be brought, and secretly given to Peter, Peter said: Now tell us, Simon, what has been thought about, or what said, or what done. Nero said Do you mean me to believe that Simon does not know these things, who both raised a dead man, and presented himself on the third day after he had been beheaded, and who has done whatever he said he would do? Peter said: But he did N^ro said: But he did all these before me. not do it before me. For assuredly he ordered angels to come to him, and they came. Peter said If he has done what is very great, why does he not do what is very small ? Let him tell what I had in my mind, and what I have done. Nero said Between you, I do not know Simon said Let Peter say what I am thinking of, or myself. what I am doing. Peter said What Simon has in his mind I shall show that I know, by my doing what he is thinking emperor, that no one knows about. Simon said Know this,
:
:

:

:

:

:

:

the thoughts of men, but
lying
?

God

alone.

Is not, therefore, Peter

sayest that thou art mind; disclose, if thou For Peter, having canst, what I have just done in secret. blessed the barley loaf which he had received, and having broken it with Ms right hand and his left, had heaped it up in Then Simon, enraged that he was not able to tell his sleeves.

Peter said

:

Do

thou, then,

who

the Son of God, teU what I have in

my

the secret of the apostle, cried out, saying
forth,

Let great dogs come and eat him up before Csesar. And suddenly there appeared great dogs, and rushed at Peter. But Peter, stretching forth his hands ^ to pray, showed to the dogs the loaf which he had blessed; which the dogs seeing, no longer appeared. Then Peter said to Nero Behold, I have shown thee that I knew what Simon was thinking of, not by words, but by deeds for he, having promised that he would bring angels against me,
:
:

;

1 Jer. xvii.

10

;

Eev.

ii.

23.

*

Lam.

iii.

41

;

Mark

xi.

25

;

1

Tim.

ii.

S.

PETER AND PAUL.

2G7

has brought dogs, in order that he might show that he had not god-like but dog-like angels.

Then Nero said to Simon What is it, Simon ? I think we have got the worst of it. Simon said This man, both in Judea and in all Palestine and Csesarea, has done the same to me;^ and from very often striving with me, he has learned that this is adverse to them. This, then, he has learned how to escape from me ; for the thoughts of men no one knows but God alone. And Peter said to Simon Certainly thou feignest thyself to be a god; why, then, dost thou not reveal the thoughts of every man? Then Nero, turning to Paul, said: Why dost thou say nothing, Paul ? Paul answered and said Know this, emperor, that if thou permittest this magician to do such things, it will bring an access of the greatest mischief to thy country, and will bring down thine empire from its position. Nero said to Simon What sayest thou ? Simon said If I do not manifestly hold myself out to be a god, no one will bestow upon me due reverence. Nero said And now, why dost thou delay, and not show thyself to be a god, in order that these men may be punished ? Simon said Give orders to build for me a lofty tower of wood, and I, going up upon it, will call my angels, and order them to take me, in the sight of all, to my father in heaven and these men, not being able to do this, are put to shame as^ uneducated men. And Nero said to Peter: Hast From this thou heard, Peter, what has been said by Simon ? Peter will appear how much power either he or thy god has. most mighty emperor, if thou wert willing, thou mightst said perceive that he is full of demons. Nero said Why do you make to me roundabouts of circumlocutions ? To-morrow will prove you. Simon said Dost thou believe, good emperor, that I who was dead, and rose again, am a magician ? For it had been brought about by his own cleverness that the unbelieving Simon had said to Nero Order me to be beheaded in a dark place, and there to be left slain and if I do not rise on the third day, know that I am a magician; but if I rise again, know that I am the Son of God.
: : : :
:

:

:

:

;

:

:

:

:

;

1

See the Clementines, Homilies
Or, are proved to be.

ii.,

iii., vi.,

xvi., xx.

*

268

ACTS OF THE HOLY APOSTLES

having ordered this, in the dark, by his magic he managed that a ram should be beheaded. And for so long did the ram appear to be Simon until he was beheaded. And when he had been beheaded in the dark, he that had beheaded him, taking the head, found it to be that of a ram but he would not say anything to the emperor, lest he should scourge him, having ordered this to be done in secret. Thereart
after, accordingly,

And Nero

—but the
day.

day, because he took

Simon said that he had risen on the third away the head of the ram and the limbs

blood had been there congealed and on the third day he showed himseK to Nero, and said Cause to be wiped away my blood that has been poured out for, behold, having been beheaded, as I promised, I have risen again on the third
:

—

;

And when Nero
Paul, he says
:

said.

To-morrow

will prove you, turning to
?

Thou

Paul,

why

dost thou say nothing

Either

who

taught thee, or wdiom thou hast for a master, or

how thou

cities, or what things have happened through For I think that thou hast not any wisdom, and art not able to accomplish any work of power. Paul answered Dost thou suppose that I ought to speak against a desperate man, a magician, who has given his soul up to death, -whose destruction and perdition will come speedily ? For he ought to speak who pretends to be what he is not, and deceives men by magic art. If thou consentest to hear his words, and to shield him, thou shalt destroy thy soul and thy kingdom, And as the Egyptians Jannes and for he is a most base man. Jambres led Pharaoh and his army astray until they were swallowed up in the sea, so also he, through the instruction of his father the devil, persuades men to do many evils to themselves, and thus deceives many of the innocent, to the peril of thy kingdom. But as for the word of the devil, which I see has been poured out through this man, with groanings of my heart I am dealing with the Holy Spirit, that it may be clearly shown what it is for as far as he seems to raise himself towards heaven, so far will he be sunk down into the depth of Hades, where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. But about the teaching of my INlaster, of which thou didst ask me, none attain it except the pure, who allow faith to come into

hast taught in the

thy teaching

?

:

;

PETER AND PA UL.
tlieir heart.^

•

269

For as

these have I taught.

many things as belong to peace and love, Eound about from Jerusalem, and as far
word
of peace.

as Illyricum/ I have fulfilled the

For
;

taught that in honour they should prefer one another

^

taught those that are eminent and rich not to be lifted hope in uncertainty of riches, but to place their hope in God * I have taught those in a middle station to be content with food and covering * I have taught the poor to rejoice in their own poverty I have taught fathers to teach their children instruction in the fear of the Lord, children to obey their parents in wholesome admonition ^ I have taught wives to love their own husbands, and to fear them as masters, and husbands to observe fidelity to their wives I have taught masters to treat their slaves with clemency, and slaves to serve their own masters faithfully I have taught the churches of the believers to reverence one almighty, invisible, and incomprehensible God. And this teaching has been given me, not from men, nor through men, but through Jesus Christ,^ who spoke to me
;
;

have have up, and
I

I

;

;

;

''

out of heaven,

who

also has sent

me
;

to preach, saying to me.
all things, as

Go

forth, for I will

be with thee

and

many

as

thou shalt say or do, I shall make
said

just.

Nero said: What sayest thou, Peter? He answered and All that Paul has said is true.^ For when he was a persecutor of the faith of Christ, a voice called him out of heaven, and taught him the truth for he was not an adversary of our faith from hatred, but from ignorance. For there were before us false Christs, like Simon, false apostles, and false prophets,
:

;

who, contrary to the sacred writings, set themselves to make and against these it was necessary to have in readiness this man, who from his youth up set himself to no other thing than to search out the mysteries of the divine law,
void the truth
;

^

Or, the pure in heart admitting the faith.

^
*

Rom.
1

xv. 19.
vi. 17.

»

Rom.

xii. 10.

Tim.

^

Or, those

who have

a moderate quantity of food and covering to be content

(1

Tim.
6
7

vi. 8).
4).
8

Or, in the admonition of the Saviour (Eph. vi.
Col.
iii.

18-22.

Gal.

i.

1.

Four of the Mss. and the Latin version here add: For assuredly I have for a long time past received letters from our bishops throughout all the world about the things done and said by him.
"

270

ACTS OF THE HOLY APOSTLES
^

by

wliicli

he might become a vindicator of truth and a perSince, then, his persecution

secutor of falsehood.

was not on

account of hatred, but on account of the vindication of the law,
the very truth out of heaven held intercourse with him, saying,
cease persecuting me. he knew that this was so, leaving off that which he was vindicating, he began to vindicate this way of Christ which he was persecuting. Simon said good emperor, take notice that these two have conspired against me for I am the truth, and they purI
;

am

the truth which thou persecutest
therefore,

When,

:

;

pose evil against me.

Peter said

:

There
?

is

no truth in thee
Paul said

;

but

all

thou sayest
:

is false.

Nero said

Paul,

what sayest thou
;

:

Those

things which thou hast heard from Peter, believe to have been

spoken by me also for we purpose the same thing, for we have the same Lord Jesus the Christ. Simon said Dost thou expect me, good emperor, to hold an argument with these men, who have come to an agreement against me ? And having turned to the apostles of Christ, he said Listen, Peter and Paul if I can do nothing for you here, we are going to the place where I must judge you. Paul said good emperor, Peter said Why see what threats he holds out against us. was it necessary to keep from laughing outright at a foolish man, made the sport of demons, so as to suppose that he cannot be made manifest ? Simon said I spare you until I shall receive my power. Paul said See if you wiU go out hence safe. Peter said If thou do not see, Simon, the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, thou wilt not believe thyself not to be Christ. Simon said Most sacred emperor, do not believe them, for they are circumcised knaves. Paul said Before we knew the truth, we had
:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

the circumcision of the flesh
cumcise.

the circumcision of the heart

Peter said

:

If

but when the truth appeared, in we both are circumcised, and circircumcision be a disgrace, why hast
;

thou been circumcised, Simon
:

?

Nero said Has, then, Simon also been circumcised ? Peter said For not otherwise could he have deceived souls, unless he feigned himseK to be a Jew, and made a show of teaching
:

1 i.e.

mysteries

PETER AND PAUL.
the law of God.
carried

271
as
I
see,

Nero said

:

Simon,

tlioii,

being
it

away with envy, persecutest these men.
is

For, as
;

seems, there
I

great hatred between thee and their Christ

and

am

afraid that

thou wilt be worsted by them, and involved
said:

in great evils.
ISTero

Simon

Thou
?

art led astray,

emperor.

said

:

How am

I led astray

What

1 see in thee, I say.

I see that

thou art manifestly an enemy of Peter and Paul and
Christ was not Paul's master.

their master.

Simon

said

:

Paul said

:

Yes

through revelation He taught me also. But tell me what I asked thee Why wast thou circumcised ? Simon said Why have you asked me this ? Paul said We have a reason for asking you this. Nero said Why art thou afraid to answer

—

:

.

:

:

them

?

cision

emperor. At that time circumSimon said Listen, was enjoined by God when I received it. Por this reason
:

was I circumcised. good emperor, what has been Paul said Hearest thou, If, therefore, circumcision be a good thing, said by Simon ? why hast thou, Simon, given up those who have been circumcised, and forced them, after being condemned, to be put to death ? Nero said Neither about you do I perceive anything good. Peter and Paul said Whether this thought about us be good or evil has no reference to the matter but to us it was necessary that what our Master promised should come to pass. Nero said If I should not be willing ? Peter said Not as
:

:

:

;

:

:

thou wiUest, but as He promised to us. good emperor, these men have reckoned upon Simon said thy clemency, and have bound thee, Nero said But neither
: :

hast thou yet
so

made me

sure about thyself.

many

excellent deeds

and signs

Simon said Since have been shown to thee by
:

me, I wonder

how thou

shouldst be in doubt.
;

Nero- said

:

I

neither doubt nor favour any of you

but answer

me

rather

what I ask. Simon said: Henceforward
said
if
:

I

answer thee nothing.

Seeing that thou

liest,

therefore thou sayest this.

Nero But

even I can do nothing to thee, God, who can, will do it.. said I no longer answer thee. Nero said Nor do I consider thee to be anything for, as I perceive, thou art a

Simon

:

:

:

liar in everything.

But why do

I say so

much

?

The three

272
of

ACTS OF THE HOLY APOSTLES
;

you show that your reasoning is uncertain and thus in you have made me doubt, so that I find that I can give credit to none of you.^ Peter said We preach one God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, that has made the heaven and the earth and the and of His sea, and all that therein is, who is the true King kingdom there shall be no end.* Nero said What king is lord? Paul said The Saviour of all the nations. Simon said I am he whom you speak of. Peter and Paul said May it never be well with thee, Simon, magician, and full of bitterness. Csesar ISTero, that thou mayst know Simon said Listen, that these men are liars, and that I have been sent from the heavens to-morrow I go up into the heavens, that I may make those who believe in me blessed, and show my wrath upon those who have denied me. Peter and Paul said Us long ago God called to His own glory but thou, called by Simon said Ca3sar ISTero, the devil, hastenest to punishment.
all tilings
: ;
:
:

:

:

:

:

:

;

:

listen to me.

when

I

to thee.

madmen from thee, in order that go into heaven to my father, I may be very merciful Nero said And whence shall we prove this, that
Separate these
:
:

thou goest away into heaven ? Simon said Order a lofty tower to be made of wood, and of great beams, that I may go

up upon
said
:

it,

and that

my

angels

may

find

me

in the air

;

for

they cannot come to

me upon
lofty

earth

among

the sinners.
sayest.

Nero

I will see whether thou wilt fulfil

what thou

Then Nero ordered a
the spectacle.

tower to be made in the Campus

Martins, and all the people and the dignities to be present at

And on the following day, aU the multitude having come together, Nero ordered Peter and Paul to be preNow the truth has to be made sent, to wliom also he said Peter and Paul said We do not expose him, but manifest. our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, whom he has falsely
:

:

declared himself to be.

And Paul, having turned to Peter, said It is my part to bend the knee, and to pray to God and thine to produce the effect, if thou shouldst see him attempting anything, because thou wast first taken in hand ^ by the Lord. And Paul, bending his knees, prayed. And Peter, looking stedfastly upon
:

;

'

Or, to nothing.

^

Luke

i.

33.

3

Or, choseu.

PETER AND PAUL.
Simon, said
:

273

Accomplish what thou hast begun for both thy is at hand for I see my Christ calling Nero said And where will you go to both me and Paul. against my will ? Peter said Whithersoever our Lord has And who is your lord ? Peter said called us. ISTero said Jesus the Christ, whom I see calling us to Himself Nero said Do you also then intend to go away to heaven ? Peter said If it shall seem good to Him that calls us. Simon said In order that thou mayst know, emperor, that these are de;

exposure and our call

:

:

:

:

:

:

:

ceivers, as

soon as ever I ascend into heaven, I will send

my

angels to thee, and will

make

thee come to me.

Nero said
all,

Do

at once what thou sayest. Then Simon went up upon the tower
laurels,

in the face of

and,

crowned with

he stretched forth his hands, and began to fly. And when Nero saw him flying, he said to Peter This Simon is true but thou and Paul are deceivers. To whom
:

;

Peter said

disciples of Christ

Immediately shalt thou know that we are true but that he is not Christ, but a magician> and a malefactor. Nero said Do you still persist ? Behold,
:

;

:

him going up into heaven. Then Peter, looking stedfastly upon Paul, said Paul, look up and see. And Paul, having looked up, full of tears, and seeing Simon flying, said Peter, why art thou idle ? finish what thou hast begun for already our Lord Jesus Christ is calling us. And Nero hearing them, smiled a little, and said These men see themselves worsted already, and are gone mad. Peter said: Now thou
you
see
:

;

:

shalt

know

that

we

are not mad.

Paul said to Peter

:

Do

at

once what thou doest.

And

Peter, looking stedfastly against Simon, said

:

I adjure

you, ye tingels of Satan,
all things,

who

are carrying

deceive the hearts of the unbelievers,

him into the air, to by the God that created
on the third day

and by Jesus

Christ,

whom

He
up,

raised from the dead, no longer from this hour to keep

him

but to

let

him

go.

And

immediately, being let go, he feU into
is,

into four parts, having perished

Holy Way, and was divided by an evil fate. Then Nero ordered Peter and Paul to be put in irons, and the body of Simon to be carefully kept three days, thinking that he would rise on the third day. To whom Peter said He
a place called Sacra Via, that
:

s

274
will

ACTS OF THE HOLY APOSTLES
no longer
rise,

since

lie is

truly dead, being
said to
?

everlasting punishment.

And Nero

him

manded thee
reflections

to do such a dreadful deed

condemned to Who comPeter said His
:

:

and blasphemy against

my

Lord Jesus Christ have

brought him into this gulf of destruction.
destroy you

Nero
:

said

:

I will
is

by an

evil taking

off.

Peter said

This

not

in thy power, even if it should

us

;

but

it is

seem good to thee to destroy necessary that what our Master promised to us
the propraetor, said

should be
to

fulfilled.

Then Nero, having summoned Agrippa
him:
It is necessary that

men

introducing mischievous re-

ligious observances should die.

Wherefore

I order

them

to

take iron clubs,^ and to be killed in the sea-fight.

Agrippa
or-

the propraetor said
dered
is

:

Most sacred emperor, what thou hast
:

not fitting for these men, since Paul seems innocent

Nero said By what fate, then, shall they die ? beside Peter. Agrippa answered and said As seems to me, it is just that Paul's head should be cut off, and that Peter should be raised on a cross as the cause of the murder. Nero said Thou hast most excellently judged. Then both Peter and Paul were led away from the presence And Paul was beheaded on the Ostesian road.^ of Nero. And Peter, having come to the cross, said Since my Lord Jesus Christ, who came down from the heaven upon the earth, was raised upon the cross upright,® and He has deigned to call to heaven me, who am of the earth, my cross ought to be fixed head downmost, so as to direct my feet towards heaven for I am not worthy to be crucified like my Lord. Then, having reversed the cross, they nailed his feet up. And the multitude was assembled reviling Caesar, and wishBut Peter restrained them, saying * A few ing to kill him.
: : :

;

:

which I have read xopvvas, clubs. SeaThe text has fights were a favourite spectacle of the Iloman emperors (Suet. Kero, xii. Claud, xxi. Dom. iv. ). The combatants were captives, or persons condemned
'

xtvapoeg, artichokes, for

;

;

to death (Dion Cass. Ix. 33).
2

in the Latin versions, see the
^ i.e.
*

For the episode of Perpetua, contained in three of the Greek mss., but not end of this book.

head uppermost.
of the mss. here inserts
;
:

One

Do

not be hard upon him, for he
the

is

the servant

of

liis

father Satan

bat

I

must

fulfil

command

of

my

Lord.

PETER AND PA UL.
and

275

days ago, being exhorted by the brethren, I was going away my Lord Jesus Christ met me, and having adored Him, I And He said to me, I said, Lord, whither art Thou going ?

going to Eome to be crucified. And I said to Him, Lord, wast Thou not crucified once for all ? And the Lord answering, said. I saw thee fleeing from death, and I wish to be crucified

am

instead of thee.

And I

said. Lord, I go; I fulfil

Thy command.

And He

said to me, Fear not, for I

am

with

thee.^
;

On

this

account, then, children, do not hinder

my

going

for already

my

on the road to heaven. Do not grieve, therebut rather rejoice with me, for to-day I receive the fruit And thus speaking, he said I thank Thee, of my labours.
feet are going
fore,
: •

good Shepherd, that the sheep wliich Thou hast entrusted to me, sympathize with me I ask, then, that with me they may have a part in Thy kingdom.^ And having thus spoken, he gave up the ghost. And immediately there appeared men glorious and strange in appearance and they said We are here, on account of the holy and chief apostles, from Jerusalem. And they, along with Marcellus, an illustrious man, who, having left Simon, had believed in Peter, took up his body secretly, and put it under
; ;
:

the terebinth near the place for the exhibition of sea-fights in the place called the Vatican.^

came from Jerusalem and be exceeding glad, because you have been deemed worthy to have great champions. And know that Nero himself, after these not many days, will be utterly destroyed, and his kingdom shall be given to another.
the
said that they

And

men who had
:

said to the people

Rejoice,

him and he fled into desert places, and through hunger and cold he gave up the ghost, and his body became food for the wild beasts. And some devout men of the resrions of the East wished to
after these things the people revolted against
;

And

when he knew

of

it,

*

Some

of the mss. insert

:

Until
:

I

bring thee into

my

Father's house.

2

Several of the mss. here add

didst entrust unto me, that
for a shepherd Thee,

commend unto Thee the sheep whom Thou they may not feel that they are without me, having
I

through whom I have been able to feed this flock. * In three of the Greek mss., but not in the Latin versions, the story of Perpetua is here continued.

276

ACTS OF THE HOLY APOSTLES

carry off the relics of the saints, and immediately there was a
great earthquake in the city
;^

and those that dwelt in the

city

having become aware of
fied.

it,

ran and seized the men, but they

But the Eomans having taken them, put them in a place
built the place in

three miles from the city, and there they were guarded a year

and seven months, until they had
intended to put them.

which they

all having assembled with glory and singing of praise, they put them in the place built for them.

And

after these things,

And the consummation of the holy glorious Apostles Peter and Paul was on the 29th of the month of June in Christ Jesus our Lord, to whom be glory and strength.

—

THE
And
as

STOPtY OF PERPETUA.

Paul was being led away to be beheaded at a place city, he was in irons. And there were three soldiers guarding him who were of a great family. And when they had gone out of the gate about the length
about three miles from the

met them a God-fearing woman; and Paul dragged along in irons, had compassion on him, and wept bitterly. And the name of the woman was And Paul, seeing called Perpetua; and she was one-eyed. her weeping, says to her: Give me thy handkerchief, and when I turn back I shall give it to thee. And she, having And the taken the handkerchief, gave it to him willingly. soldiers laughed, and said to the woman Why dost thou wish, woman, to lose thy handkerchief? Knowest thou not that he is going away to be beheaded ? And Perpetua said to them I adjure you by the health of Csesar to bind his eyes Which with this handkerchief when you cut off his head.
of a bow-shot, there
she, seeing
:

:

And the people of the Romans ran, and took them Catacombs on the Appian Way, at the third milestone and there the bodies of the saints were guarded a year and six months, until places were built for them in which they might be put. And the body of St. Peter was put into the Vatican, near the place for the sea-fights, and that of St. Paul into the Vostesian (or Ostesian) Way, two miles from the city and in these places, through their prayets, many good deeds are wrought to the faithful in tlie name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
•

Several MSS. here add

:

into the place called the

;

;

PETER AND PA

UL.

277

also was done. And they beheaded him at the place called Aquse Salvise, near the pine tree. And as God had willed, before the soldiers came back, the handkerchief, having on it drops of blood, was restored to the woman. And as she was carrying it, straightway and immediately her eye was opened.

CONTINUATION OF THE STORY OF PEEPETUA.
cut off the head of Saint they came on the same day with the hulla bringing it to Nero, having met Perpetua, they said to her "What is it, woman ? Behold, by thy confidence thou hast
the three soldiers
Paul,

And

who had

when

after three hours

:

lost

thy handkerchief.
handkerchief, and

But she

said to

them

:

I

have both got

my

my

eye has recovered

its sight.

And

as

the Lord, the
that I

God

of Paul, liveth, I also have entreated

him

may

be deemed worthy to become the slave of his Lord.

who had the hulla, recognising the handkerand seeing that her eye had been opened, cried out with a loud voice, as if from one mouth, and said We too are the Perpetua therefore having gone away, slaves of Paul's master. reported in the palace of the Emperor Nero that the soldiers who had beheaded Paul said We shall no longer go into the city, for we believe in Christ whom Paul preached, and we are Then Nero, filled with rage, ordered Perpetua, who Christians. had informed him of the soldiers, to be kept fast in irons and as to the soldiers, he ordered one to be beheaded outside of the gate about one mile from the city, another to be cut in two, and And Perpetua was in the prison and the third to be stoned. in this prison there was kept Potentiana, a noble maiden, because she had said I forsake my parents and all the substance She therefore of my father, and I wish to become a Christian. joined herself to Perpetua, and ascertained from her everything about Paul, and was in much anxiety about the faith in Christ. And the wife of Nero was Potentiana's sister and she secretly
Then the
chief,

soldiers

:

:

;

;

:

;

informed her about Christ, that those who believe in Him see everlasting joy, and that everything here is temporary, but
there eternal
:

so that also she fled out of the palace,

of the senators' wives with her.

and some Then Nero, having inflicted

278

ACTS OF PETER AND PAUL.
tortures

many

upon Perpetua,

at last tied a great stone to her

neck, and ordered her to be thrown over a precipice.

remains

lie

at the

Momentan^
;

gate.

And

And her Potentiana also

underwent many torments one day, they burned her.
*

and

at last,

having made a furnace

This

is

a slip for

Nomentan.

ACTS OF PAUL

AND THECLA.

IS

Paul was going up to Iconium after the flight from Antioch, his fellow-travellers were Demas and Ermogenes, full of hypocrisy and they were importunate with Paul,^ as if they loved him. But Paul, look;

ing only to the goodness of Christ, did them no harm, but loved

them

exceedingly, so that he made the oracles of the Lord sweet to them in the teaching both of the birth and the resurrection of the Beloved and he gave them an account, word for
;

word, of the great things of Christ,
to him.

how He^ had been

revealed

And a certain man, by name Onesiphorus, hearing that Paul had come to Iconium, went out to meet him with his children Silas and Zeno, and his wife Lectra, in order that he might entertain him for Titus had informed him what Paul was like in appearance for he had not seen him in the flesh, but only And he went along the road to Lystra, and stood in the spirit. waiting for him, and kept looking at the passers-by according And he saw Paul coming, a man to the description of Titus.
;

;

small in

size,

bald-headed, bandy-legged, well built,^ with eye-

brows meeting, rather long-nosed, full of grace. For sometimes he seemed like a man, and sometimes he had the countenance of an angel. And Paul, seeing Onesiphorus, smiled and Onesiservant of the blessed God And he said phorus said Hail, Grace be with thee and thy house. And Demas and Ermogenes were jealous, and showed greater hypocrisy; so that Demas said Are not we of the blessed God, that thou hast not thus saluted us ? And Onesiphorus said I do not see in you the fruit of righteousness but if such you be, come you also into my house and rest yourselves.
;
:
!

:

:

:

;

^

Or, persisted in staying with Paul.

*

Or,

how

they.

3

Or, healthy.

I7d

280

ACTS OF PAUL AND THECLA.
having gone into the house of Onesiphorus, there of knees, and breaking of bread,
self-control

And Paul

was great joy, and bending and the word of God about
Paul saying
:

and the resurrection

God :^
shaU.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see blessed are they that have kept the flesh chaste, for they
of

become a temple

themselves, for

God

shall speak with

God:^ blessed are they that control them blessed are they
:

that have kept aloof from this world, for they shall be called

upright
for

:^

blessed are they that have wives as not having them,
:

they shall receive God for their portion ^ blessed are they that have the fear of God, for they shall become angels of God:^ blessed are they that have kept the baptism, for they shall rest
beside the Father and the Son
:

blessed are the merciful, for

they shall obtain mercy ,^ and shall not see the bitter day of judgment blessed are the bodies of the virgins, for they shall
:

be well pleasing to God, and shall not lose the reward of their chastity for the word of the Father shall become to them a
;

work
have

of salvation against the day of His Son,
rest for ever

And

and they shall and ever/ while Paul was thus speaking in the midst of the

church in tlie house of Onesiphorus, a certain virgin Tliecla, the daughter of Theocleia, betrothed to a man (named) Thamyris, sitting at the window close by, listened night and day to the discourse of virginity and prayer, and did not look away from
the window, but paid earnest heed to the faith, rejoicing exceedingly.

beside Paul, she also had an eager desire to be

saw many women going in deemed worthy to stand in the presence of Paul, and to hear the word of Christ for never had she seen his figure, but heard his word

And when

she

still

;

only.

And
1

as she did not stand
;

sends to Thamyris
Matt.
V. 8.

away from the window, her mother and he comes gladly, as if already receiv2

*

ComiJ. 1 Cor.

vii. 29.

^

Cump. 1 Cor. vi. 18, Comp. Luke xx. 36.
:

19.

^ ^

Comp. Rom.
^^tt.
v. 7.

xii. 2.

7 Some Mss. add the following beatitudes Blessed are tliey that tremble at the words of God, for they shall be comforted blessed are they that have I'eceived the wisdom of Jesus Christ, for they shall be called the sons of the Most
:

High

come out from conformity with the world, for they shall judge the augels, and shall be blessed at the right hand of the Father.
:

blessed are they that through love of Christ have

ACTS OF PAUL AND THECLA.
ing her in marriage.
story to tell thee,

281

And
;

Theocleia said: I have a strange
for assuredly for three

Thamyris

days and
plea-

three nights Thecla does not rise from the window, neither to
eat nor to drink; but looking earnestly as if

upon some

sant sight, she

is

so devoted to a foreigner teaching deceitful

and artful modesty is
for all the

discourses, that

I

wonder how a virgin of such
Thamyris, this

so painfully put about.

man

will

overturn the city of the Iconians, and thy Thecla too besides

taught to fear
said

women and God and

the young

men

go in beside him, being

to live in chastity.

Moreover

also

my
is

daughter, tied to the

window

like a spider, lays hold of

what
;

by Paul with a strange eagerness and awful emotion for the virgin looks eagerly at what is said by him, and has been But do thou go near and speak to her, for she has captivated.
been betrothed to thee. And Thamyris going near, and kissing her, but at the same time also being afraid other overpowering emotion, said: Thecla, my betrothed, why dost thou sit thus ? and what sort of feelTurn round to thy Thamyris, ing holds thee overpowered ? and be ashamed. Moreover also her mother said the same things Why dost thou sit thus looking down, my child, and answering nothing, but like a mad woman? And they wept fearfully, Thamyris indeed for the loss of a wife, and Theocleia of a child, and the maid-servants of a mistress there was accordingly much confusion in the house of mourning.-^ And while these things were thus going on, Thecla did not turn round, but kept attending earnestly to the word of Paul. And Thamyris starting up, went forth into the street, and kept watching those going in to him and coming out. And he saw two men bitterly contending with each other and he
: :

;

said

:

souls

Men, tell me who this is among you, leading, astray the of young men, and deceiving virgins, so that they do not
are.

marry, but remain as they

I promise, therefore, to give
;

you money enough if you tell me about him for man^ of the city. And Demas and Ermogenes

I

am

the

first

Who
men

this

is,

indeed,

we do

not

know

;

him but he deprives young
said to
is for

of wives,
1
"^

and maidens of husbands, saying. There
man.

Or, a great outpouring of lameutation in the house. Or, a chief

282

ACTS OF PAUL AND THE CLA.

you a resurrection in no other way, unless you remain chaste, and pollute not the flesh, but keep it chaste. And Thamyris said to them Come into my house, and rest yourselves. And they went to a sumptuous dinner, and much wine, and great wealth, and a splendid table and Thamyris made them drink, from his love to Thecla, and his wish to get her as his wife. And Thamyris said during the dinner Ye men, what is his teaching, tell me, that I also may know for I am no little distressed about Thecla, because she thus loves the stranger, and
:

;

:

;

I

am

prevented from marrying.
:

said Bring him before the governor on the charge of persuading the multitudes to embrace the new teaching of the Christians, and he will speedily destroy him, and thou shalt have Thecla as thy wife. And we shall teach thee that the resurrection of which this man speaks has taken place, because it has already taken place in the children which we have ;^ and we rose again when we came to the knowledge of the true God.

Demas and Ermogenes

Castelios

And
and

rage, rising

Thamyris, hearing these things, being filled with anger up early, went to the house of Onesiphorus with
officers,

archons and public
saying
:

and a great crowd with batons,

Thou

hast corrupted the city of the Iconians, and her

that was betrothed to me, so that she will not have

me

:

let

us

go to the governor Castelios.

And

all

the multitude said
all

:

Away

with the magician

;

for

he has corrupted

our wives, and the

multitudes have been persuaded (to change their opinions).

And
who

great shout

Thamyris, standing before the tribunal, said with a proconsul, this man, who he is we know not, makes virgins averse to marriage let him say before thee
:

;

on what - account he teaches these things. And Demas and Ermogenes said to Thamyris Say that he is a Christian, and thus thou wilt do away with him. But the proconsul stayed his intention, and called Paul, saying Who art thou, and what dost thou teach ? for they bring no small charges against tliee. And Paul lifted up his voice, saying Since I am this day examined as to what I teach, listen, proconsul A living God, a God of retributions, a jealous God, a God in need of nothing, consulting for the salvation of men, has sent me that I may
:
: :

:

'

j.e.

we

rise afraiii iu oui- cliildieu.

2

Qr, whose.

ACTS OF PAUL AND THECLA.
reclaim them from corruption and imcleanness, and from
pleasure,

283
all

and from death, that they may not sin. Wherefore God sent His own Son, whom I preach, and in whom I teach men to rest their hope, who alone has had compassion upon a world led astray, that they may be no longer under judgment, O proconsul, but may have faith, and the fear of God, and the knowledge of holiness, and the love of truth. If, therefore, I teach what has been revealed to me by God, wherein do I do wrong ? And the proconsul having heard, ordered Paul to be bound, and sent to prison, until, said he, I, being at leisure, shall hear him more attentively. And Thecla by night having taken off her bracelets, gave them to the gatekeeper and the door having been opened to her, she went into the prison and having given the jailor a silver mirror, she went in beside Paul, and, sitting at his feet, she heard the great things of God. And Paul was afraid of nothing, but ordered his life in the confidence of God. And her faith also was increased, and she kissed his bonds. And when Thecla was sought for by her friends, and Thamyris, as if she had been lost, was running up and down the streets, one of the gatekeeper's fellow-slaves informed him that she had gone out by night. And having gone out, they examined the gatekeeper and he said to them She has gone to the foreigner
; ; ;
:

into the prison.

having gone, they found her, as it were, enchained by affection. And having gone forth thence, they drew the multitudes together, and informed the governor of the circumstance. And he ordered Paul to be brought to the tribunal but Thecla was wallowing on the ground^ in the place where he

And

and he ordered her too to be sat and taught her in the prison brought to the tribunal. And she came, exulting with joy. And the crowd, when Paul had been brought, vehemently cried out
;

But the proconsul gladly He is a magician away with him heard Paul upon the holy works of Christ. And having called a council, he summoned Thecla, and said to her: Why dost thou not obey Thamyris, according to the law of the Iconians ? But she stood looking earnestly at Paul. And when she gave Burn the wicked no answer, her mother cried out, saying
! !

:

[wretch]

;

burn in the midst of the theatre her that will not
'

i.e.

in sii?n of

si'itif-

284

ACTS OF PA UL AND TIIECLA.
all

marry, in order that
this

the

women

tliat

have been taught by

man may he afraid. And the governor was
him out

greatly

Paul, he cast

of the city,

burned.
theatre,

And

immediately the

moved and having scourged and condemned Thecla to he governor went away to the
;

and all the crowd went forth to the spectacle of Thecla. But as a lamb in the wilderness looks round for the shepherd, so she kept searching for Paul. And having looked upon the crowd, she saw the Lord sitting in the likeness of Paul, and said As I am unable to endure my lot, Paul has' come to see me. And she gazed upon him with great earnestness, and he went up into heaven. But the maid-servants ^ and virgins brought the faggots, in order that Thecla might be burned. And when she came in naked, the governor wept, and wondered at the power ^ that was in her. And the public executioners arranged the faggots for her to go up on the pile. And she, having made the sign of the cross, went up on the faggots and they lighted them. And though a great fire was blazing, it did not touch her for God, having compassion upon her, made an underground rumbling, and a cloud overshadowed them from above, full of water and hail and all that was in the cavity of it was poured out, so that many were in danger of death. And the fire was put out, and Thecla saved. And Paul was fasting with Onesiphorus and his wife, and his children, in a new tomb, as they were going from Iconium to Daphne. And when many days were past, the fasting children said to Paul We are hungry, and we cannot buy loaves for Onesiphorus had left the things of the world, and followed Paul, with all his house. And Paul, having taken off his cloak, said Go, my child, buy more loaves, and bring them. And when the child was buying, he saw Thecla their neighbour, and was astonished, and said Thecla, whither art thou going ? And she said I have been saved from the fire, and am following Paul. And the boy said Come, I shall take thee to him for he is distressed about thee, and is praying six days. And she stood beside the tomb where Paul was with bended knees, and praying, and saying Saviour Christ, let not the fire touch Thecla, but stand by her, for she is Thine. And she,
:

;

;

;

:

;

:

:

:

:

;

:

'

One

MS. has, boys.

2 Qj.^ vii'tue.

ACTS OF PAUL AND THECLA.
:

285

heaven and the
that

Father, who hast made the standing "behind liim, cried out earth, the Father of Thy holy Son, I bless Thee

Thou

hast saved

me

that I
:

may

see Paul.

And

Paul,

rising up,

God, that knowest the heart, and said the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, I bless Thee that Thou, having heard me, hast done quickly what I wished. And they had five loaves, and herbs, and water and they rejoiced in the holy works of Christ. And Thecla said to Paul I shall cut my hair, and follow thee wdiithersoever thou mayst It is a shameless age, and thou art beautiful. go. And he said I am afraid lest another temptation come upon thee worse than the first, and that thou withstand it not, but be cowardly. And Thecla said Only give me the seal ^ in Christ, and temptation Thecla, wait with patience, shall not touch me. And Paul said and thou shalt receive the water. And Paul sent away Onesiphorus and all his house to Iconium and thus, having taken Thecla, he went into Antioch. And as they were going in, a certain Syriarch, Alexander by name, seeing Thecla, became enamoured of her, and tried to gain over Paul by gifts and presents. But Paul said I know not But he, the woman whom thou speakest of, nor is she mine. being of great power, himself embraced her in the street. But she would not endure it, but looked about for Paul. And she

saw

her,

;

:

:

:

;

:

cried out bitterly, saying:
force the servant of God.

I

Do not force the stranger; do not am one of the chief persons of the

Iconians

;

and because I would not have Thamyris, I have been

cast out of the city.

And

taking hold of Alexander, she tore

crown, and made him a laughingsame time loving her, and at the same time ashamed of what had happened, led her before the governor; and when she had confessed that she had done these things, he condemned her to the wild beasts. And the women were struck Evil with astonishment, and cried out beside the tribunal And she asked the governor, judgment impious judgment
his cloak,
stock.

and pulled

off his

And

he, at the

:

!

!

that, said she, I may remain pure until I shall fight with the wild beasts. And a certain Trypha^na,^ whose daughter was dead, took her into keeping, and had her for a consolation. And when the beasts were exhibited, they bound her to a
1

2 Cor.

i.

22; Eph.

i.

13, iv. 30.

"

Some

mss. add:

A widow,

very rich.

286
fierce lioness

ACTS OF PAUL AND TIIECLA.
;

and Tryphsena accompanied her. But the lioness, with Thecla sitting upon her, licked her feet and all the multitude was astonished. And the charge on her inscription was
;

Sacrilegious.

And

the

women

cried out

from above
!

:

An

im-

pious sentence has been passed in this city
exhibition, Tryphaena again receives her.

And
:

after the

Falconilla
shalt

had

died,

and said

to her in a

For her daughter dream Mother, thou

may

have this stranger Thecla in my place, in order that she pray concerning me, and that I may be transferred to the

place of the just.

And

when,

after the exhibition,

Tryphsena received her, at
at the

the same time indeed she grieved that she had to fight with the

wild beasts on the day following
her as
ever ;
lifted

;

and

same time, lo\dng
:

much

as her daughter Falconilla, she said

My

second

child Thecla,

come and pray for my child, that she may live for And she, nothing hesitating, for this I saw in my sleep. up her voice, and said God most high,^ grant to this
:

woman

according to her wish, that her daughter Falconilla

may

live for ever.

And when
it

Thecla had thus spoken, Tryphaena

lamented, considering so

much beauty thrown to the wild beasts. was dawn, Alexander came to take her, for it was he that gave the hunt,^ saying The governor is sitting, and the crowd is in uproar against us. Allow me to take away

And when

:

her that

with the wild beasts. And Tryphsena cried A second mourning for my Falconilla has come upon my house, and there is no one to help neitlier child, for she is dead, nor kinsman, for I am a
is

to fight

aloud, so that he even fled, saying

:

;

Avidow.

God

of Thecla, help her

!

immediately the governor sends an order that Thecla should be brought. And Tryphsena, taking her by the hand, said My daughter Falconilla, indeed, I took away to the tomb;
:

And

and

thee, Thecla, I

am

taking to the wild-beast
:

fight.

And

Thecla wept bitterly, saying
believe, to

whom

from the
'

fire,

I have fled do Thou grant a

God in whom I for refuge, who deliveredst me recompense to Tryphsena, who
Lord, the
:

Lord One MS. has: God of our fiithcrs, Son of the Most High. Another God, who hast made the heaven and the earth, Son of the Most High, Lord
Jesus Christ.
*
i.

€.

the exhibition of wild beasts.

ACTS OF PAUL AND THECLA.

287

has had compassion on Thy servant, and because she has kept me pure. Then a tumult arose, and a cry of the people, and
the

women

sitting together, the
!

sacrilegious person

the others saying

one saying Away with the Let the city be raised ^
:

:

against this wickedness.
sight
!

Take

off all of us,

proconsul

!

Cruel

evil sentence

!

was

hand of Tryphsena, and received a girdle,^ and was thrown into the arena, and lions and bears and a fierce lioness were let loose upon her and the lioness having run up to her feet, lay down and the multitude of the women cried aloud. And a bear ran upon her but the lioness, meeting the bear, tore her to pieces. And again a lion that had been trained against men, which belonged to Alexander, ran upon her and she (the lioness), encountering the lion, was killed along with him. And the
Thecla, having been taken out of the
stripped,
;
; ;
;

And

women made
tector,

great lamentation, since also the lioness, her pro-

was dead. Then they send in many wild beasts, she standing and stretching forth her hands, and praying. And when she had finished her prayer, she turned and saw a ditch full of water, and said Now it is time to wash myself. And she threw herseK in, saying In the name of Jesus Christ I am baptized on my last day. And the women seeing, and the multitude, wept, saying Do not throw thyself into the water so that also the governor shed tears, because the seals were going to devour such beauty. She then threw herself (in) in the name of Jesus
: :
:

;

Christ

;

but the seals having seen the glare of the

fire

of light-

ning, floated about dead.

And

there was round her, as she was

naked, a cloud of

fire

;

so that neither could the wild beasts

touch her, nor could she be seen naked. And the women, when other wild beasts were being thrown
in, wailed.

others cassia, others

perfumes.
as if they

And some threw sweet-smelling herbs, others nard, amomum, so that there was abundance of And all the wild beasts that had been thrown in,
sleep, did
:

had been withheld by

not touch her

;

so

that Alexander said to the governor
terrible
;

I have bulls exceedingly

And

let us bind to them her that is to fight with the beasts. the governor, looking gloomy, turned, and said Do what
: '

Or, be taken

off, i.e.

put to death.

2

Or, drawers.

288

ACTS OF PAUL AND THECLA.

thou wilt. And they bound her by the feet between them, and put red-hot irons under the privy parts of the bulls, so that they, being rendered more furious, might kill her. They rushed about, therefore; but the burning flame consumed the ropes, and she was as if she had not been bound. But Tryphsena fainted standing beside the arena, so that the crowd said: Queen Tryphsena is dead. And the governor put a stop to the games, and the city was in dismay. And Alexander entreated the governor, saying Have mercy both on me and the city, and release this woman. For if Csesar hear of these things, he will speedily destroy the city also along with us, because his kinswoman Queen Tryphsena has died beside the abaci} And the governor summoned Thecla out of the midst of the wild beasts, and said to her Who art thou ? and what is there about tliee, that not one of the wild beasts touches thee ? And
: :

she said

:

I indeed
is is

am

a servant of the living

God

;

and

as to

what there

whom He

about me, I have believed in the Son of God, in well pleased wherefore not one of the beasts has
;

touched me.

For He alone is the end ^ of salvation, and the basis of immortal life for He is a refuge to the tempest-tossed,
;

a solace to the
for
all,

afflicted,

a shelter to the despairing

;

and, once
live for

whoever

shall not believe

on Him, shall not

ever.

And
clothed

the governor having heard this, ordered her garments

to be brought,

and

to be put on.

And

Thecla said

:

He

that

me naked among

the wild beasts, will in the day of

And taking the garjudgment clothe thee with salvation. ments, she put them on. The governor' therefore immediately issued an edict, saying I release to you the God-fearing Thecla, And the women shouted aloud, and with the servant of God.
:

one mouth returned thanks to God, saying There is one God, so that the foundations of the theatre (the God) of Thecla were shaken by their voice. And Tryphsena having received
:

;

the good news, went to meet the holy Thecla, and said
believe that the dead are raised
lives.
;

now

I believe that

Now I my child
:

Come within, and I shall assign to thee aU that is mine. She therefore went in along with her, and rested eight days, having instructed her in the word of God, so that most even of
^

A

part of

tlie

aucieut theatres on or near

tlie

stage.

*

Or, way.

ACTS OF PAUL AND THECLA.
the maid-servants believed.
house.

289
in the

And
;

there

was great joy

And

was in Myra of

Thecla kept seeking Paul and it was told her that he And taking young men and maidens, Lycia.
;

she girded herself

and having sewed the tunic

so as to

make

a man's cloak, she came to Myra, and found Paul speaking the

word of God. And Paul was astonished at seeing her, and the crowd with her, thinking tliat some new trial was coming upon And when she saw him, she said I have received the her. baptism, Paul for He that wrought along with thee for the And Paul, taking gospel has wrought in me also for baptism. her, led her to the house of Hermseus, and hears everything
:

;

from
said

her, so that those that

heard greatly wondered, and were

comforted, and prayed over Tryphtena.
:

And
said

she rose up, and
:

I

am

going to Iconium.

And Paul
many

Go, and teach
clothing and

the word of God.
poor.

And

Tryphsena sent her

much

gold, so that she left to

Paul

things for the service of the

And

she went to Iconium.
fell

And
:

she goes into the house of

upon the pavement where Paul used to God of myself and of this sit and teach her, and wept, saying house, where Thou didst make the light to shine upon me, O Christ Jesus, the Son of the living God, my help in the fire, my help among the wild beasts. Thou art glorified for ever. Amen. And she found Thamyris dead, but her mother alive.
Onesiphorus, and

And having sent for her mother, she said

:

Theocleia,

my mother,

? Por whether thou desirest wealth, God gives it to thee through me And having thus or thy child, I am standing beside thee. testified, she departed to Seleucia, and dwelt in a cave seventytwo years, living upon herbs and water. And she enlightened many by the word of God. And certain men ol the city, being Greeks by religion, and physicians by profession, sent to her insolent young men to For they said She is a virgin, and serves destroy ^ her, Artemis, and from this she has virtue in healing. And by the providence of God she entered into the rock alive, and went under ground. And she departed to Eome to see Paul, and
:

canst thou believe that the Lord liveth in the heavens

'

Or, corrupt,

T

290

ACTS OF PAUL AND THECLA.

found that he had fallen asleep.^ And after staying there no long time, she rested in a glorious sleep; and she is buried ahout two or three stadia from the tomb of her master Paul.

She was cast, then, into the fire when seventeen years old, and among the wild beasts when eighteen. And she was an
been said, seventy-two years, so that were ninety. And having accomplished many cures, she rests in the place of the saints, having fallen asleep on the twenty-fourth of the month of September in
ascetic in the cave, as has
all

the years of her

life

Christ Jesus our Lord, to

whom

be glory and strength for ever

and

ever.

Amen.

Instead of the last two sections, the MS. which Dr. Grabs

used has the following And a cloud of light guided her.
:

And

having come into
idols.

Seleucia, she

went

forth outside of the city one stadium.

she was afraid of
it

them

also, for

they worshipped

And And

guided her to the mountain called Calamon or Ehodeon and having there found a cave, she went into it. And she was there many years, and underwent many and grievous trials by the devil, and bore them nobly, being assisted by Christ. And some of the well-born women, having learned about the virgin And Thecla, went to her, and learned the oracles of God. many of them bade adieu to the world, and lived an ascetic And a good report was spread everywhere conlife with her. cerning her, and cures were done by her. All the city, therefore, and country roimd, having known this, brought their sick to the mountain; and before they came near the door they were speedily released from whatever disease they were afflicted by; and the unclean spirits went out shrieking, and aU received their own in health, glorifying God, who had given such grace The physicians, therefore, of the city of to the virgin Thecla. the Seleucians were thought nothing of, having lost their trade, and no one any longer had regard to them and being fiUed
;

with envy and hatred, they plotted against the servant of Christ, what they should do to her. The devil then suggests to them a wicked device ; and one day, being assembled, and having
1 i.e.

that he was dead.

ACTS OF PAUL AND THECLA.
:

291

taken counsel, they consult with each other, saying This virgin and if she ask anyis a priestess of the great goddess Artemis thing of her, she hears her as being a virgin, and all the gods
;

love her.

Come, then,

let

us take

men

of disorderly lives,

and

make them drunk with much
gold,

shall

them much and say to them, If you can corrupt and defile her, we The physicians therefore give you even more money.
wine, and let us give

said to themselves, that if they should be able to defile her,

neither the gods nor Artemis would listen to her in the case

And the wicked men, of the sick. They therefore did so. having gone to the mountain, and rushed upon the cave like And the holy martyr Thecla lions, knocked at the door.
opened, emboldened by the
she

God

in

whom

she believed

;

for

knew

of their plot beforehand.

What do you

want,

my

children

?

one here called Thecla ? And she with her ? They say to her We want to sleep with
: :

And she says to them: And they said Is there said What do you want
:

her. The woman, but the servant of my Lord Jesus Christ and even though you want to do something to me out of place, you cannot. They say to her It is impossible for us not to do to thee what we

blessed Thecla says to

them

:

I

am

a humble old
;

:

having said this, they laid fast hold of her, and wished to insult her. And she says to them with mildness Wait, my children, that you may see the glory of the Lord. And being laid hold of by them, she looked up into heaven, and said God, terrible and incomparable, and glorious to Thine
want.
:

And

adversaries,

who who

didst deliver
to Thamyris,

me
who

out of the

fire,

who

didst
to

not give

me up

didst not give

me up
.

Alexander,

from the wild beasts, who didst save me in the abyss, who hast everywhere worked with me, and glorified Thy name in me, now also deliver me from these lawless men, and let me not insult my virginity, which
didst deliver

me

through Thy name I have preserved

till

now, because I love

Thee, and desire Thee, and adore Thee, the Father, and the And there came Son, and the Holy Ghost for ever. Amen.

Fear not, Thecla, my true see where an opening has been made before thee, for there shall be for thee an everAnd the lasting house, and there thou shalt obtain shelter.
a voice out of the heaven, saying
servant, for I
:

am

with thee.

Look and

292

ACTS OF PAUL AND THECLA.
man
;

it, saw the rock opened as far as to and did according to what had been said to her and nobly fleeing from the lawless ones, entered into the rock and the rock was straightway shut together, so that not even a joining appeared. And they, beholding the extraordinary wonder, became as it were distracted and they were

blessed Thecla regarding

allow a

to enter,

:

;

not able to detain the servant of God, but only caught hold of her
veil,

and were able

to tear off a certain part

;

and that by

the permission of
able place,

God

for the faith of those seeing the vener-

and

for a blessing in the generations afterwards to

those that believe in our Lord Jesus Christ out of a pure
heart.

Thus, then, suffered the
virgin, Thecla,

first

martyr of God, and apostle, and
at eighteen years old

who came from Iconium

and with the journeying, and the going round, and the retirement in the mountain, she lived other seventy-two years. And when the Lord took her, she was ninety years old. And thus And her holy commemoration is on the is her consummation. twenty-fourth of the month of September, to the glory of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and
to ages of ages.

Amen.

THE ACTS OF BAKNABAS.
THE JOURNEYINGS AND MARTYRDOM OF
THE APOSTLE.
ST.

BARNABAS

INCE

from the descent of the presence of our Saviour Jesus Christ, the unwearied and benevolent and mighty Shepherd and Teacher and Physician, I beheld and saw the ineffable and holy and unspotted

mystery of the Christians, who hold the hope in holiness, and who have been sealed and since I have zealously served Him, I have deemed it necessary to give an account of the mysteries which I have heard and seen. I John, accompanying the holy apostles Barnabas and Paul,
;

being formerly a servant of Cyrillus the high priest of Jupiter, but now having received the gift of the Holy Spirit through Paul and Barnabas and Silas, (who were) worthy of the calling, and who baptized me in Iconium. After I was baptized,

saw a certain man standing clothed in white raiment and he said to me Be of good courage, John, for assuredly thy name shall be changed to Mark, and thy glory shall be prothen, I
:

claimed in

all

the world.

And

the darkness in thee has passed
to thee understand-

away from
ing to

thee,

and there has been given

to the feet of Barnabas,

I went and related to him the mysteries which I had seen and heard from that man. And the Apostle Paul was not by when I disclosed the mysteries. And Barnabas Tell no one the miracle which thou hast seen. said to me For by me also this night the Lord stood, saying, Be of good courage for as thou hast given thy life for my name to death and banishment from thy nation, thus also shalt thou be made
:

know the mysteries of God. And when I saw the vision, becoming greatly terrified,

:

293

294
perfect.

THE ACTS OF BARNABAS.
Moreover, as for
tlie

servant who is with you, take he has certain mysteries. Now then, my child, keep to thyself the things which thou hast seen and heard for a time will come for thee to reveal them.'And .1, having been instructed in these things by him, remained in Iconium^ many days; for there was there a holy man and a pious, who also entertained us, whose house also

him

also with thyself;

for

;

Paul had sanctified. Thence, therefore, we came to Seleucia, and after staying three days sailed away to Cyprus and I was ministering to them until we had gone round all Cyprus. And setting sail from Cyprus, we landed in Perga of Pamphylia. And there I then stayed about two months, wishing to sail to the regions of the West and the Holy Spirit did not allow me. Turning, therefore, I again sought the apostles; and having
; ;

learned that they were in Antioch, I went to them.
journey,

Paul in bed in Antioch from the toil of the me, was exceedingly grieved on account of my delaying in Pamphylia. And Barnabas coming, encouraged him, and tasted bread, and he took a little of it. And they preached the word of the Lord, and enlightened many of the Jews and Greeks. And I only attended to them, and was afraid of Paul to come near him, both because he held me as having spent much time in Pamphylia, and because he was quite enraged against me. And I gave repentance on my knees upon the earth to Paul, and he would not endure it. And when I remained for three Sabbaths in entreaty and prayer on my knees, I was unable to prevail upon him about myself; for his great grievance against me was on account of my keeping several parchments in Pamphylia.
I found

And

who

also seeing

And when
to
set

it

came
first

to pass that they finished teaching in

Antioch, on the
into Cyprus,

of the

week they took counsel

together

out for the places of the East, and after that to go

and oversee all the churches in which they had spoken the word of God. And Barnabas entreated Paul to go and Lucius* first to Cyprus, and oversee his own in his village
;

*

Or, will

come

to reveal thee.

*

One

MS. has Jerusalem, and adds,

and we came

to

Antioch, which suits the

geography better. ^ Acts xiii. 1 Rom.
:

xvi. 21.

THE ACTS OF BARNABAS.
entreated
vision

295

him

to take the oversight of his city Cyrene.
sleep, that

And

a

he should hasten to Jerusalem, because the brethren expected him there. But Barnabas urged that they should go to Cyprus, and pass the winter, and then that they should go to Jerusalem at the feast. Great contention, therefore, arose between them.^ And Barnabas urged me also to accompany them, on account of me being their servant from the beginning, and on account of me having served them in all Cyprus until they came to Perga of Pamphylia and I there had remained many days. But Paul cried
;

was seen by Paul in

out against Barnabas, sayiiig

:

It is impossible for

him

to go

with

us.

And

those

who were with

us there urged

accompany them, because there was a them to the end. So that Paul said to Barnabas If thou wilt take John who also is surnamed Mark with thee, go another road for he shall not come with us. And Barnabas coming to himself, said The grace of God does not desert^ him who
:

me also to vow upon me to follow

;

:

has once served the gospel and journeyed with
fore, this

us.

If,

therego.

be agreeable to thee, Father Paul, I take him and
:

And

he said

Go thou

in the grace of Christ,

and we in the

power of the

Spirit,

Therefore, bending their knees, they prayed to God.

And

Paul, groaning aloud, wept, and in like

manner

also Barnabas,
for us, as at
;

saying to one another
first,

:

It

would have been good
in

so also at last, to

work

it

has thus seemed good to

common among men but since thee. Father Paul, pray for me that

labour may be made perfect to commendation: for thou knowest how I have served thee also to the grace of Christ that has been given to thee. For I go to Cyprus, and hasten to be made perfect;^ for I know that I shall no more see thy face, Father Paul. And falling on the ground at his feet, he wept And Paul said to him The Lord stood by me also this long. night, saying, Do not force Barnabas not to go to Cyprus, for there it has been prepared for him to enlighten many and do thou also, in the grace that has been given to thee, go to Jerusalem to worship in the holy place, and there it shall be shown thee where thy martyrdom has been prepared. And we saluted one another, and Barnabas took me to himself. 2 Or, turn away. ^ i.e. to finish my course. Acts XV. 39.
:

my

;

'

296

THE A CTS OF BA RNA BA S.

And having come down to Laodiceia/ we sought to cross to Cyprus; and having found a ship going to Cyprus, we embarked. And when we had set sail, the wind was found to be contrary. And we came to Corasium;^ and having gone down to the shore where there was a fountain, we rested there, showing ourselves to no one, that no one might know that Barnabas had separated from Paul. And having set sail from Corasium, we came to the regions of Isauria, and thence came to a certain island called Pityusa;* and a storm having come on, we remained there three days; and a certain pious man entername Euphemus, whom also Barnabas instructed many things in the faith, with all his house. And thence we sailed past the Aconesise,* and came to the city of Anemurium and having gone into it, we found two Greeks. And coming to us, they asked whence and who we And Barnabas said to them If you wish to know were. whence and who we are, throw away the clothing which you
tained us, by
in
;
:

have, and I shall put on
soiled
;

you clothing which never becomes

for neither is there in it

gether splendid.

And

anything filthy, but it is altobeing astonished at the saying, they

is that garment which you are going to give Barnabas said to them If you shall confess your sins, and submit yourselves to our Lord Jesus Christ, you shall receive that garment which is incorruptible for ever. And being pricked at heart by the Holy Spirit, they fell at his feet, entreating and saying We beseech thee, father, give us that garment for we believe in the living and true God whom thou

asked us
?

:

What

us

And

:

:

;

proclaimest.

And

leading

baptized

them

into the

them down to^ the fountain, he name of Father, and Son, and Holy

Ghost. And they knew that they were clothed with power, and a holy robe. And having taken from me one robe, he put it on the one and his own robe he put on the other. And they brought money to him, and straightway Barnabas disAnd from them also the sailors were tributed it to the poor.
;

able to gain

many

things.®

And
'

they having come
is

down

to the shore,
^

he spoke to them
Perhaps Corycus.

This

the Syrian Laodiceia, opposite C3'prus.
^ Or, into.

s

Or, Pityussa, close to the Zephyrian promontory.

*

Perhaps Aphrodisias.

*

To make much

profit.

THE ACTS OF BARNABAS.
the word of
;

297

God and he having blessed them, we saluted them, and went on board the ship. And the one of them who was named Stephanus wished to accompany us, and Barnabas did

And we, having gone across, sailed down to Cyprus by night and having come to the place called Crommyacita,^ we found Timon and Ariston the temple servants, at whose house also we were entertained. And Timon was afflicted by much fever. And having laid our hands upon him, we straightway removed his fever, having And Barnabas had called upon the name of the Lord Jesus. received documents from Matthew, a book of the word^ of God, and a narrative of miracles and doctrines. This Barnabas laid upon the sick in each place that we came to, and it immenot permit him.
;

diately

made

a cure of their sufferings.
to Lapithus,^

And when we had come

and an

idol festival*

being celebrated in the theatre, they did not allow us to go into And Timon, after the city, but we rested a little at the gate. he rose up from his disease, came with us. And having gone forth from Lapithus, we travelled through the mountains, and

came
was

to the city of Lampadistus, of
;

which

also

Timon was a
of the city of

native

in addition to

whom, having found

also that Heracleius

there,

we were

entertained by him.

He was
;

Tamasus,^ and had come to visit his relations and Barnabas, looking stedfastly at him, recognised him, having met with

him formerly at Citium with Paul; to whom also the Holy Spirit was given at baptism, and he changed his name to HeraAnd having ordained him bishop over Cyprus, and cleides. having confirmed the church in Tamasus, we left him in the
house of his brethren that dwelt there. And having crossed the mountain called Chionodes,^ we came to Old Paphos, and there found Ehodon, a temple servant, who also, having himself believed, accompanied us. And we met a certain Jew, by name Barjesus, coming from Paphos, who also recognised Barnabas, as having been formerly with
'

Crommyon
Lapethus.
Lit.,

Pr.

* Lit.,

the voice.

3
*

an idol-frenzy,

—a term often applied to the worship of Bacchus.

*

Tamassus.
snowy, an epithet of Olympus, the mountain they crossed.

^ i.e.

208
Paul.

THE ACTS OF
He
we came

Bj>^aBAS.
;

did not wish us to go ini Paplios
to Curium.-^

but having

turned away,

And we found that a certain abominablocace was being performed^ in the road near the city, where .multitude of women and men naked were performing the race. A.nd there was great deception and error in that place. AnoBarnabas turning, rebuked it and the western part fell, so tht. many were wounded, and many of them also died and the resAed
;
;

hand in the [c.y] which was called sacred.^ And when we came near the temph a great multitude of Jews who w^ere there, having been put up to it by Barjesus, stood outside of the city, and did not allow
to the temple of Apollo,
close at

which was

us to go into the city near the
city,

;

but

we

spent the evening under a tree

and rested

there.

on the following day w^e came to a certain village where He being a leper, had been cleansed in Antioch, whom also Paul and Barnabas sealed to be a bishop, and sent to his village in Cyprus, because there were many Greeks there. And we were entertained in the cave by him And thence in the mountain, and there we remained one day. we came to Amathus, and there was a great multitude of
Aristoclianus dwelt.

And

Greeks in the temple in the mountain, low women and men pouring libations. There also Barjesus, getting the start of us, gained over the nation of the Jews, and did not allow us but a certain widow woman, eighty to enter into the city
;

years old, being outside of the city, and she also not worship-

ping the
hour.

idols,

coming forward

to us, took us into her

house one

And when we came

out

we shook

the dust off our feet

over against that temple where the libation of the abominable

took place.

And having gone out thence, we came through desert places, and Timon also accompanied us. And having come to Citium, and there being a great uproar there also in their hippodrome, having learned this, we came forth out of the city, having all shaken the dust off our feet for no one received us, except that we rested one hour in the gate near the aqueduct.
;

and there there took place high festivals ^ having found Heracleides there again, we instructed him to proclaim the gospel of God, and to set up And having gone into Salachurches, and ministers in them. mis, we came to the synagogue near the place called Biblia and when we had gone into it, Barnabas, having unrolled the gospel which he had received from Matthew his fellow-labourer, began to teach the Jews. And Barjesus, having arrived after two days, after not a few Jews had been instructed, was enraged, and brought together all the multitude of the Jews and they having laid hold of Barnabas, wished to hand him over to Hypatius, the governor And having bound him to take him away to the of Salamis. governor, and a pious Jebusite,^ a kinsman of Nero, having come to Cyprus, the Jews, learning this, took Barnabas by night, and bound him with a rope by the neck and having dragged him to the hippodrome from the synagogue, and having gone out of the city, standing round him, they burned him with fire, so that even his bones became dust. And straightway that night, having taken his dust, they cast it into a cloth and having secured it with lead, they intended But I, finding an opportunity in the to throw it into the sea. night, and being able along with Timon and PJiodon to carry it, we came to a certain place, and having found a cave, put it down there, where the nation of the Jebusites formerly dwelt. And having found a secret place in it, we put it away, with the documents which he had received from Matthew. And it was the fourth hour of the night of the second of the week.^ And when we were hid in the place, the Jews made no little search after us and having almost found us, they pursued us as far as the village of the Ledrians and we, having found there also a cave near the village, took refuge in it, and thus
a place full of idols
;

and

libations.

And

;

;

;

;

;

•Lit., assemblies of the whole nation.
'

Another reading

is

:

Eusebius the Jehusite.

There

is

a legend that the

Jebusites colonized Cyprus after they were driven out of Palestine by King

David.
3 The Vatican MS. adds: on the I7th of the month Paiin according to the Egyptians, and according to the Romans the 11th of the month of June.

300
escaped them.

THE ACTS OF BARNABAS.
And we were
hid in the cave three days
forth
;

and and left the place by night. And taking with us Ariston and Khodon, we came to the village of Limnes/ And having come to the shore, we found an Egyptian ship and having embarked in it, we landed at Alexandria. And there I remained, teaching the brethren that came the word of the Lord, enlightening them, and preaching what I had been taught by the apostles of Christ, who also baptized me into the name of Father, and Son, and Holy Ghost who also changed my name to Mark in the water of baptism, by which also I hope to bring many to the glory of God through His grace because to Him is due honour and everlasting glory. Amen, The journeyings and martyrdom of the holy apostle Barnabas have been fulfilled through God.
the Jews having gone away,

we came

;

This place does not appear on the ancient maps, but there
Limuiti.

is

a

modern

C.

THE ACTS OF PHILIP.
or THE JOUENEYINGS OF PHILIP THE APOSTLE.
FROM THE FIFTEENTH ACT UNTIL THE END, AND AMONG THEM THE MARTYRDOM.

|BOUT

the time

when

the Emperor Trajan received

the government of the Ptomans, after

Simon the

son of Clopas,
suffered

who

vi^as

bishop of Jerusalem, had

martp-dom

in the eightli yea,r of his reign,

being the second bishop of the church there after James who bore the name of brother of the Lord/ Philip the apostle, going through the
cities

and regions of Lydia and Asia, preached
is

to all the gospel of Christ.

And

having come to the city of Ophioryma, which

called

Hierapolis of Asia, he was entertained by a certain believer,

And there was with him also BartholoStachys by name. mew, one of the seventy disciples of the Lord, and his sister Mariamme, and his disciples that followed him. All the men
of the city therefore, having left their work, ran to the house of Stachys, hearing about the works

which Philip
in

did.

And

many men and women having assembled
Stachys,

the

house of

Philip

along with Bartholomew taught them the

things of Jesus.

And

Philip's sister

Mariamme,

sitting in the entry of the

house of Stachys, addressed herself to those coming, persuading them to listen to the apostles, saying to them Our brethren, and sons of my Father in heaven, ye are the excellent riches,
:

tion

and the substance of the city above, the delight of the habitawhich God has prepared for those that love Him. Trample under foot the snares of the enemy, the writhing serpent. For his path is crooked, since he is the son of the wicked one,
1

Comp. Euseb. H. E.

iii.

32.

302

THE ACTS OF

PHILIP.
;

and the poison of wickedness is in him and his father is the rage in devil, the author of deatli, and his mother corruption his" eyes and destruction in his mouth, and his path is Hades. Wherefore flee from him that has no substance, the shapeless one that has no shape in all the creation, whether in the heaven or in the earth, whether in the flying creatures For everything is taken away from his shape or the beasts. for among the beasts of the earth and the fowls of the heaven is the knowledge of him, that the serpent trails his belly and his breast and Tartarus is his dwelling-place, and he goes in the darkness, since he has confidence in nothing.^ Flee therefore from him, that his poison may not be poured out into your mouth. But be rather believing, holy, of good works, having no deceit. Take away from yourselves the wicked disposition, that is, the evil desires through which the serpent, the wicked dragon, the prince of evil, has produced the pasture of destruction and death for the soul, since all the desire of the wicked has proceeded from him. And this is the root of. iniquity, the maintenance of evils, the death of souls for the desire of the enemy is armed against the believers, and comes forth from the darkness, and walks in the darkness, taking in hand to war with those who are in the light. For this is the Wherefore you who wish to beginning of concupiscence.^ come to us, and the rather that God has come through us to you as a father to his own children, wishing to have mercy upon you, and to deliver you from the wicked snare of the enemy, flee from the evil lusts of the enemy, and cast them completely out of your mind, hating openly the father of evils, and loving Jesus, who is light, and life, and truth, and the Saviour of all who desire Him. Having run, therefore, to Him, take hold of Him in love, that He may bring you up out of the pit of the wicked, and having cleansed you, set you blameless, living in truth, in the presence of His Father. And all these things Philip said to the multitudes that had come together to worship as in old times the serpents and the viper, of which also they set up images and worsliipped them. Wherefore also they called Hierapolis Ophioryma.^ And these things having been said by Philip, Bartholomew and Mari;

;

;

'

Or, in no one.

*

Or, covetousness.

' i.e.

Serpent's town.

THE ACTS OF
amme and
his disciples

PHILIP.

803

and Stachys being along with him, all them fleeing from the enemy were turned to Jesus, and were added to Philip and those about him. And the faithful were the more confirmed
the people gave ear, and a great multitude of
in the love of Christ.

And

Nicanora, the wife of the proconsul, lying in bed under

various diseases, especially of the eyes, having heard about the

Apostle Philip and his teaching, believed in the Lord. For she had even before this heard about Him and having called
;

upon His name, she was released from the troubles that afflicted her. And rising up, she went forth out of her house through the side door, carried by her own slaves in a silver litter, and went into the house of Stachys, where the apostles were. And when she came before the gate of the house, Mariamme,
the sister of Philip the apostle, seeing her, spoke to her in

come to deliver thee through us, them, and to remove them from thee from their root, because thou art my sister, one mother brought us forth twins. Thou
hast forsaken thy father, thou hast forsaken the path leading

mistress, thou hast been but Jesus our Kedeemer has to break thy bands, and cut

thee to the dwelling-place of thy mother, being in error
glory,
is

;

thou

hast left the temple of that deception, and of the temporary

and hast come
to

to us, fleeing

the dwelling-place of death.

come upon

redeem thee

;

from the enemy, because he now thy Eedeemer has Clmst the Sun of righteousness has risen
Behold,

thee, to enlighten thee.^

And when Mcanora,

standing before the door, heard these
all,

things, she took courage before

crying out, and saying

:

I

am

a Hebrew, and a daughter of the Hebrews; speak with

me

in the language of

my

fathers.

For, having heard the preach-

was straightway cured of the disease and I therefore adore the goodthe troubles that encompassed me. ness of God, who has caused you to be spoiled even to this city, on account of His true stone^ held in honour, in order that
ing of
fathers, 1
•

my

Or, iachaman.

*

Comp. Mai.

iv. 2.

3 jga. xxviii.

16

;

1 Pet.

ii.

4, etc.

304
through you
live

THE ACTS OF

PHILIP.

we may receive the knowledge of Him, and may with you, having believed in Him. Nicanora having thus spoken, the Apostle Philip, along with Bartholomew and Mariamme and those with them, prayed for her to God, saying Thou who bringest the dead to life, Christ Jesus the Lord, who hast freed us through baptism from the slavery of death,^ completely deliver also this woman from the make her alive in Thy life, and perfect her error, the enemy in Thy perfection, in order that she may be found in the
:

;

country of her fathers in freedom, having a portion in
goodness,

Thy

Lord Jesus. And all having sent up the amen along with the Apostle Philip, behold, there came the tyrant, the husband of Nicanora, raging like an unbroken horse; and having laid hold of his Nicanora, did not I wife's garments, he cried out, saying: leave thee in bed ? how hadst thou so much strength as to come to these magicians ? And how hast thou been cured of the inflammation of thine eyes ? Now, therefore, unless thou tell me who thy physician is, and what is his name, I shall punish thee with various punishments, and shall not have compassion upon thee.
cast out

And

she answering, says to

him

:

tyrant,

from thee this tyranny of thine, forsake this wickedabandon this life lasting only for a season ness of thine run away from the brutality of thy worthless disposition flee from the wicked dragon and his lusts; throw from thee the works and the dart of the man-slaying serpent renounce the abominable and wicked sacrifices of the idols, which are the husbandry of the enemy, the hedge of darkness make for thyself a life chaste and pure, that being in holiness thou mayst be able to know my Physician, and to get His name. If therefore thou wishest me to be beside thee, prepare thyself to live in chastity and self-restraint, and in fear of the true God, and I shall live with thee all my life only cleanse thyself from the idols, and from all their filth. And when the gloomy tyrant her husband heard these words of hers, he seized her by the hair of her head, and dragged her along, kicking her, and saying It will be a fine thing for thee to be cut off by the sword, or to see thee from beside me com; ;
;

;

;

:

1

Comp. Kom.

vi. 3, 4,

THE ACTS OF

PHILIP.
;

305

mitting fornication with these foreign magicians for I see that thou hast fallen into the madness of these deceivers. Thee first of them, therefore, I shall cut off by an evil death and
;

then, not sparing them, I shall cut their sinews, and put
to a

them

most cruel death. about him: Bring out

And

impostors of magicians. the public executioners having run into the house of Stachys, and laid hold of the Apostle Philip, and Bartholomew

And having for me those

turned, he said to those

and Mariamme, dragged them along, leading them to where And the most faithful Stachys followed, and all the faithful. And the proconsul seeing them, gnashed his teeth, saying Torture these deceivers that have deceived many women, and young men and girls, saying that they are worshippers of God, while they are an abomination. And he ordered thongs of raw hide to be brought, and Philip and Bartholomew and jNIariamme to be beaten; and after they had been scourged with the thongs, he ordered their feet to be tied, and them to
the proconsul was.

be dragged through the streets of the city as far as the gate And a great crowd was assembled, so that of their temple.
scarcely

any one stayed

at

home; and they

all

their patience, as they were being violently

wondered at and inhumanly

dragged along.

And

the proconsul, having tortured the Apostle Philip and

the saints

who were with

him, ordered them to be brought, and
its priests,

secured in the temple of the idol of the viper by
until he should decide

by what death he should destroy each of them. And many of tVie crowd believed in the grace of Christ, and were added to the Apostle Philip, and those with him, having renounced the idol of the viper, and were confirmed in the faith, being magnified by the endurance of the saints and
;

all

together with their voice glorified God, saying the amen.

And when they were shut up in the temple of the viper both Philip the Apostle, and Bartholomew and Mariamme the priests of the viper assembled to the same place, and a great crowd, about seven- thousand men and having run to the proconsul, they cried out, saying: Avenge us of the foreigners, and magicians, and corrupters and seducers of men. For ever since they came to us, our city has been filled with
;

u

306

THE ACTS OF

PHILIP.

every evil deed; and they have also killed the serpents, the sons of our goddess and they have also shut the temple, and
;

the altar has been desolated

and we have not found the wine which had been brought in order that the viper, having drunk But if thou wishest to know that they of it, might go to sleep. are really magicians, look and see how they wish to bewitch us, saying, Live in chastity and piety, after believing in God and how also they have come into the city and how also the dragons have not struck them blind, or even killed them and how also they have not drunk their blood but even they who keep our city from every foreigner have been cast down by these men. And the proconsul having heard these things, was the more inflamed "wdth rage, and filled with wrath and threatening and he was exceedingly enraged, and said to the priests: Why (need you speak), when they have bewitched my own wife ? And from that time she has spoken to me with strange words and praying all the night through, she speaks in a strange tongue with a light shining round her and groaning aloud, she And I, having says, Jesus the true light has come to me. gone forth from my chamber, wished to look down through the window and see Jesus, the light which she spoke of; and like lightning it came upon me, so that I was within a little of being blinded; and from that time forth I am afraid of my Tell me, ye priests, wife, on account of her luminous Jesus. proconsul, aswhat I *am to do. And they said to him: suredly we are no longer priests; for ever since thou didst shut them up, in consequence of them praying, not only has the temple been shaken from the foundations, but it is also
; ; ; ; ; ;

assuredly falling down.

Then the proconsul ordered to bring Philip and those with him forth out of the temple, and to bring them up to the
Strip Philip and Bartholomew and Mariamme, and search thoroughly to try Having therefore first stripped to find their enchantments. Philip, then Bartholomew, they came also to Mariamme and
tribunal, saying to the public executioner:
;

dragging her along, they said

:

Let us strip her naked, that

all

may
all

see her,

how

she follows

men

;

for she especially deceives
:

the women.

And

the tyrant says to the priests

Proclaim

THE ACTS OF
throiigliout the

PHILIP.

307

whole city round about that all should come, that they may see her indecency, that she travels about with these magicians, and no doubt commits adultery with them. And he ordered Philip to be hanged, and his ankles to be pierced, and to bring also iron hooks, and his heels also to be driven through, and to be hanged head downwards, opposite the temple on a certain tree and stretch out Bartholomew opposite Philip, having nailed his hands on the

men and women,

;

wall of the gate of the temple.

And both of them smiled, seeing each other, both Philip and Bartholomew for they were as if they were not tortured for their punishments were prizes and crowns. And when also they had stripped Mariamme, behold, straightway the semblance of her body was changed in the presence of all, and straightway there was about her a cloud of fire before all and they could not longer look at all on the place in which the holy Mariamme was, but they all fled from her. And Philip spoke with Bartholomew in the Hebrew tongue, saying Where is our brother John ? for, behold, I am being released from the body and who is he that has prayed for us ? Because they have also laid hands on our sister Mariamme, contrary to what is meet and, behold, they have set fire to the house of Stachys, saying, Let us burn it, since he entertained them. Dost thou wish then, Bartholomew, fire to come from heaven, and that we should burn them up ? And as Philip was thus speaking, behold, also John entered into the city like one of their fellow-citizens; and moving about in the street, he asked Who are these men, and why are they
;
:

;

:

;

;

:

punished

?

And

they say to him

:

It cannot be that thou art

of our city, and askest about these men,

many:

who have wronged they have shut up our gods, and by their magic have cut off both the serpents and the dragons and they have also raised many of the dead, who have struck us with amazement, detailing many punishments (against us) and they wish
for
;

;

also, these strangers

who

are hanging, to pray for fire out of
city.

heaven, and to burn up us and our

Then says John: Let us go, and do you show me them. They led John, therefore, as their fellow-citizen, to where Philip was and there was there a great crowd, and the pro;

308
consul,

THE ACTS OF

PHILIP.

and tlie priests. And Philip, seeing John, said to Bartholomew in Hebrew Brother, John has come, who was in Barek, where the living water is.^ And John saw Philip hanging head downwards both by the ankles and the heels ;^ and he also saw Bartholomew stretched out on the wall of the temple and he said to them The mystery of him that was hanged between the heaven and the earth shall be with you.
:

;

:

And
is

he said also to the

men

of that city:
is

Ye men who

dwell in Ophioryma Hierapolis, great

the ignorance which

among you, for you have erred in the path of error. The dragon breathing has breathed upon you, and blinded you in three ways that is, he has made you blind in body, and blind in soul, and blind in spirit: and you have been struck by the destroyer. Look upon the whole creation, whether in the
;

earth, or in the heaven, or in the waters, that the serpent has

no resemblance to anything above f but he is of the stock of corruption, and has been brought to nothing by God and on this account he is twisted and crooked, and there is no life in him and anger, and rage, and darkness, and fire, and smoke are in all his members. And now, therefore, why do you punish these men because they have told you that the serpent is your enemy? And when they heard these words from John, they raised We thought thee to be a their hands against him, saying fellow-citizen, but now thou hast shown thyself that thou art Like them, so also thou shalt be put to their companion. death for the priests have intended to squeeze out your blood, and having mixed it with wine, to bring it to the viper to
;
;
:

;

drink

it.

When,

therefore, the priests attempted to lay hold

of John, their hands were paralyzed.

Let us not at
to

all

render evil for

John: Behold now, where is avenge myself? But for my part, I shall not endure it longer but I will accomplish upon them my threat, and will
;

And John said to Philip And Philip said to my Lord Jesus, who told me not
evil.

destroy
•

them

all.*
is
:

Another and more probable reading
living water.

He who

is

the son of Barek, which

means
2
'

Or, hams.

One

of the MSS. has

:

*

A

Bodleian MS. adds

has no resemblance to a man in anything. for because I am wrathful, Jesus named
:

me Son

of

Tliuuder.

THE ACTS OF
saying

PHILIP.

809
restrained him,

And John and Bartholomew and Mariamme
Our Master was (on the cross), was made
:

was scourged, was extended to drink gall and vinegar, and said. Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.^ And this He taught, saying Learn of me, for I am meek and lowly
beaten,
:

Let us also therefore be patient. Philip says Go away, and do not mollify me for I will not bear that they have hanged me head down, and pierced my ankles and my
in heart.^
:

;

heels with irons.

And

thou, John, beloved of God,

how much

hast thou reasoned with them, and thou hast not been listened
to Wherefore go away from me, and I will curse them, and they shall be destroyed utterly to a man. And he began Abalo, to curse them, invoking, and crying out in Hebrew
!

:

aremun, idutJmel, tharseleon, nachoth, aidunaph,
is,

teleteloi:^
;

that

God, Father of Christ, the only and Almighty God whom all ages dread, powerful and impartial Judge, whose

name
lasting

is
;

in

Thy dynasty

Sabaoth,* blessed art

Thou

for ever-

before

Thee tremble dominions and powers of the

and the fire-breathing threats of the cherubic living name came upon the wild beasts of the desert, and they were tamed, and praised Thee with a rational voice who lookest upon us, and readily grantest our requests; who knewest us before we were fashioned; the Overseer of all now, I pray, let the great Hades open its mouth let the great abyss swallow up these the ungodly, who have not been willing to receive the word of truth in this city. So let it be, Sabaoth. And, behold, suddenly the abyss was opened, and the whole of the place in which the proconsul was sitting was swallowed np, and the whole of the temple, and the viper which they worshipped, and gTeat crowds, and the priests of the viper, about seven thousand men, besides women and children, except where the apostles were they remained And the proconsul was swallowed up into the unshaken. abyss and their voices came up from beneath, saying, with
celestials,
;

ones

the King, holy in majesty, whose

;

:

;

:

;

weeping Have mercy upon
:

us,

God

of

Thy glorious
2

apostles,

»

*

Luke xxiii. 34. The Bodleian
The Bodleian

Matt.

xi. 29.

ms.
;

has the Hebrew thus

:

Saballon, prumeni,

duthael,

tharsdi, annachathaei
*

adonah

batelo teloe.

MS. has Ailoel.

310
because

THE ACTS OF
we now
see the

PHILIP.

judgments of those who have not
:

confessed the crucified

One

behold, the cross illumines us.

Jesus Christ, manifest Thyself to us, because we" are all coming down alive into Hades, and are being scourged because

we have
of light.

unjustly crucified Thine apostles.
:

And

a voice was
cross

heard of one, saying

I shall be merciful to

you in the

And

there remained both Stachys and all his house, and the

fifty other women who had believed with her upon the Lord, and a multitude besides, both of men and women, and a hundred virgins who had not been swallowed up because of their chastity, having been sealed with

wife of the proconsul, and

the seal of Christ.
didst thou not hear

Then the Lord, having appeared unto Philip, said Thou shalt not render evil for
:

:

Philip,
evil
? and whoso-

why
is

hast thou inflicted such destruction

?

Philip,

ever putteth his hand to the plough, and looketh backwards,'
? or who gives up his own lamp to anand himself sits in darkness ? or who forsakes his own And who, dwelling-place, and dwells on a dunghill himself ? giving away his own garment in winter, goes naked ? or what enemy rejoices in the joy of the man that hates him ? and what soldier goes to war without a full suit of armour ? and what slave who has fulfilled his master's order will not be commended ? and who in the racecourse, having nobly run, does not receive the prize ? and who that has washed his garments willingly defiles them ? Behold, my bridechamber is ready but blessed is he who has been found in it wearing the shining garment ^ he it is who receives the crown upon his Behold, the supper is ready and blessed is he who is head. The invited, and is ready to go to Him that has invited him. harvest of the field is mucli,^ and blessed is the good labourer. Behold the lilies and all the flowers, and it is the good hus-

his furrow well set

other,

:

;

bandman who

is

the

first

to get a share of them.

And how

hast thou become,

Philip, unmerciful, having cursed thine

enemies in wrath
Philip says
Comp. Luke
:

?

Why

art

have cursed mine enemies
'

Thou angry with me. Lord, because I ? for why dost Thou not tread them
xxii. 11.
^

ix. 62.

^

Comp. Matt.

Comp. Matt.

ix. 37.

THE ACTS OF

PHILIP.

311

under foot, because they are yet alive in the abyss ? And knowest Thou, Lord, that because of Thee I came into this city, and in Thy name I have persecuted all the error of the idols, and all the demons ? The dragons have withered away, and the serpents. And since these men have not received Thy light, therefore have I cursed them, and they have gone down to Hades alive. And the Saviour says to Philip But since thou hast disobeyed me, and hast requited evil for evil, and hast not kept my commandment, on this account thou shalt finish thy course gloriously indeed, and shalt be led by the hand by my holy angels, and shalt come with them even to the paradise of delight and they indeed shall come beside me into paradise, but thee will I order to be shut outside of paradise for forty days, in terror under the flaming and turning sword, and thou shalt groan because thou hast done evil to those who have done
:

;

after forty days I shall send my archangel having taken hold of the sword guarding paradise, shall bring thee into it, and thou shalt see all the righteous who have walked in their innocence, and then thou

evil to thee.

And
he,

Michael

;

and

shalt worship the glory of

my

Father in the heavens.

Never-

theless the sign of thy departure shall be glorified in

my

cross.

And

Bartliolomew having gone away into Lycaonia, shall there and Mariamme shall lay her body also be himself crucified
;

in the river Jordan.

But

I,

Philip, will not endure thee,

because thou hast swallowed up the
behold,

men

into the abyss

;

but,

my
;

Spirit

is

in them,

and

I shall bring

them up from

the dead
of

and thus they, seeing

thee, shall believe in the glory

Him
And

that sent thee.

the Saviour having turned, stretched up His hand, and
a cross in the air
it

coming down from above even to the and had its form after the likeAnd all the multitude that had gone down ness of a ladder. from the city into the abyss came up on the ladder of the luminous cross but there remained below the proconsul, and the viper which they worshipped. And when the multitude had come up, having looked upon Philip hanging head downwards, they lamented with a great lamentation at the lawless And they also saw Bartholomew, action which they had done.

marked

abyss, and

was

full of light,

;

312

THE ACTS OF

PHILIP.

and Mariamme having her former appearance. And, behold, the Lord went up into the heavens in the sight of Philip, and Bartholomew and Mariamme, and Stachys, and all the unbelieving people, and silently they glorified God in fear and
trembling.
is

God,

And all the multitudes whom these men proclaim
men

cried out, saying

:

He
is

alone

in truth

who

sent these

for our salvation.

God, Let us therefore truly
;

He

alone

repent for our great error, because
of everlasting
life.

we

are

by no means worthy

Now we

believe, because

we have

seen

great wonders, because the Saviour has brought us

up from

And they all fell upon their face, and adored and entreated him, ready to flee Do not do another miracle, and again send us away into the abyss. And they prayed .that they might become worthy of the appearing of
the abyss.
Philip,
:

Christ.

And Philip, yet hanging, addressed -them, and said Hear and learn how great are the powers of my God, remembering what you have seen below, and how your city has been overturned, with the exception of the house which received me and now the sweetness of my God has brought you up out of the abyss, and I am obliged to walk round paradise for forty days on your account, because I was enraged against you into
:

requiting you.

And

this

commandment

alone I have not kept,
for evil.

in that I did not give

you good in return

But

I say

unto you,
the
evil,

Prom

this time forth, in the goodness of

that

you may

God, reject become worthy of the thanksgiving^ of

the Lord.

And some
take off

of the faithful ran

up

to take

down

Philip,

and

him

the iron grapnels, and the hooks out of his ankles.
:

said Do not, my children, do not come near me on account of this, for thus shall be my end. Listen to me, ye wdio have been enlightened in the Lord, that I came to this city, not to make any merchandise, or do any other tiling; but I have been destined to go out of my body in this city in Grieve not, then, that I am the case in which you see me. hanging thus; for I bear the stamp ^ of the first man, who was brought to the earth head downwards, and again, through the wood of the cross brought to life out of the death of the trans-

But Philip

1

Or, the Eucharist.

'^

Or, type.

THE ACTS OF
gression.

PHILIP.

313

And now I accomplish that which hath been enjoined upon me; for the Lord said to me, Unless you shall make that of you which is down to be up, and that which is on the left to be on the right, you shall not enter into my kingdom. Be ye not therefore likened to the unchanged type, for all the world has been changed, and every soul dwelling in a body is
in forgetfulness of heavenly things but let not us possessing the glory of the heavenly seek that which is without, which
;

is

believing,

Be not unbelieving, but and forgive each other's faults. Behold, I hang six days, and I have blame from the true Judge, because I altogether requited you evil, and put a stumbling-block in the way of my And now I am going up on high be not sorrowful, rectitude.
the body and the house of slavery.
;

but rather rejoice, because I am leaving this dwelling-place, my body, having escaped from the corruption of the dragon,

who

And

punishes every soul that is in sins. Philip, having looked round upon the multitudes, said ye who have come up out of the dead from Hades, and the

swallowing up of the abyss, and the luminous cross led you up on high, through the goodness of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost, He being God became man, having been made flesh out of the Virgin Mary, immortal, abiding in flesh and having died, He raised the dead, having had pity on man-

—

—

kind, having taken

away the sting of sin. He was great, and became small for our sake, until He should enlarge the small, and bring them into His greatness. And He it is who has sweetness and they spat upon Him, giving Him gall to drink, in order that He might make those who were bitter against Him to taste of His sweetness. Cleave then to Him, and do not forsake Him, for He is our life to everlasting. And when Philip had finished this announcement, he says to them. Loose Bartholomew and having gone up, they loosed
; ;

him. And after loosing him, Philip says to him: Bartholomew, my brother in the Lord, thou knowest that the Lord has sent
thee with

me

to this city,

and thou hast shared with me in
;

all

the dangers with our sister Mariamme but I know that the going forth from thy body has been appointed in Lycaonia, and
it

has been decreed to

Mariamme

to go forth

from the body in
you, that

the river Jordan.

Now

therefore I

command

when

314

THE ACTS OF
my body,
and

PHILIP.
shall build a

I have gone forth from
this place
;

you

church in

let

the leopard and the kid of the goats ^
believe;

into the church, for a sign to those that

Nicanora provide for them until they shall body and when they shall have gone forth, And lay your peace upon the house of gate of the church. And let all Stachys, as Christ laid His peace on this city. the virgins who believe stand in that house each day, watching over the sick,walkmg two and two; but let them have no com^ munication with young men, that Satan may not tempt them for he is a creeping serpent, and he caused Adam by means of Eve to slip into death. Let it not be so again in this time as Bartholomew, look to them in the case of Eve. But do thou,
;
:

come and let go forth from the bury them by the

well;^ and thou shalt give these injunctions to Stachys, and

appoint
to a

him

bishop.

Do

not entrust the place of the bishopric

young man, that the gospel of Christ may not be brought to shame; and let every one that teacheth have his works equal But I am going to the Lord, and take my body to his words. and prepare it for burial with Syriac sheets of paper and do not put round me flaxen cloth, because the body of my Lord was wrapped in linen. And having prepared my body for
;

burial in the sheets of paper, bind

it

tight with papyrus reeds,
for

and bury

it

in the church;

and pray

me*

forty days, in

order that the Lord

may

forgive

me

the transgression wherein did evil to me.
See,

I transgressed, in requiting those

who

Bartholomew, where
a plant shall spring
vine,

my

blood shall drop upon the earth,

blood, and shall become a bunch of grapes and having taken the cluster, press it into the cup and having partaken of it on the third day, send up on high the Amen, in order that

up from

my

and

shall produce fruit of a

;

;

the offering

may

be complete.
:

And

Philip, having said these things, prayed thus

Lord

Jesus Christ, Father of the ages, King of the light, who hast made us wise in Thy wisdom, and hast given us Thine understanding, and hast bestowed upon us the counsel of Thy good1

taketh away the disease of those who Thou art the Son of the living God,
presence of wisdom,
hast turned those

flee to

for refuge

who
;

hast given us

Thy

who hast given us signs and wonders, and who have gone astray who crownest those who overcome the adversary. Thou excellent Judge.^ Come now, Jesus, and give me the everlasting crown of victory against
every adverse dominion and power, and do not
air hide
let their

dark

and all the abyss. my Lord Jesus Christ, let not the enemy have ground but put on me Thy glorious to accuse me at Thy tribunal robe. Thy seal of light that ever shines, until I shall pass by all the powers of the world, and the wicked dragon that lieth in wait for us. Now therefore, my Lord Jesus Christ, make me to meet Thee in the air, having forgiven me the recompense which I recompensed to my enemies and transform the form of my body into angelic glory, and give me rest in Thy blessedness and let me receive the promise from Thee which Thou hast promised to Thy saints to everlasting. And having thus spoken, Philip gave up the ghost, while all the multitudes were looking upon him, and weeping, and saying The life of this spirit has been accomplished in peace. And
I shall cross the waters of fire
;
;

me when

;

they said the Amen.

And Bartholomew and Mariamme
did as Philip had

took down his body, and commanded them, and buried it in that place.
:

And

there was straightway a voice out of the heavens

Philip

the apostle has been crowned with an incorruptible crown by

Jesus Christ, the Judge of the contest.
the

And

all

shouted out

Amen.
after the three

And

where the blood of the holy Philip had dropped. did all that had been commanded them by him,
offering for forty days, praying without ceasing.

days the plant of the vine sprouted up And they
offering

an

And

they

built

bishop in the church.

church in that place, having appointed Stachys And Nicanora and all the faithful assembled, and did not cease, all of them, glorifying God on account of the wonders that had happened among them. And
the
all

the city believed in the
*

name

of Jesus.
games.

And Bartholomew

Lit., president of tlie

316

THE ACTS OF

PHILIP.

commanded Stachys to name of the Father, and

baptize those

who

believed into the

the Son, and the

Holy Ghost.
having appeared in

And

after the forty days, the Saviour,

the form of Philip, said to Bartholomew and
Pai^adise has

Mariamme

:

My
?

beloved brethren, do you wish to rest in the rest of

God
;

been opened to me, and

I

have entered into the

glory of Jesus.

Go away

to the place appointed for

you

for

the plant that has been set apart and planted in this city shall

bear excellent

fruit. Having therefore saluted the brethren, and prayed for each of them, they departed from the city of Ophioryma, the Hierapolis of Asia and Bartholomew departed into Lycaonia, and Mariamme proceeded to the Jordan and Stachys and those with him remained, maintaining the church in Christ Jesus our Lord, to whom be glory and strength for ever and ever. Amen.
;
;

ACTS OF SAINT PHILIP THE APOSTLE
WHEN HE WENT TO UPPER HELLAS.

ND

it

came

to pass in those days,

when

Philip en-

tered into the city of Athens called Hellas, there

assembled to him three hundred pliilosophers, saying: Let us go and see

what

his

they say about the wise
great.

men

of Asia, that their

wisdom is; for wisdom is

For they thought that Philip was a philosopher, since he and they did not know that he was an apostle of Christ. For the dress which Jesus gave to His disciples was a mantle only, and a linen cloth.^ On this account, therefore, Thus, then, Pliilip was going about. when the philosophers of Hellas saw him, they were afraid. They assembled therefore into one place, and said to each other

was

travelling in the dress of a recluse

;

Come, let us look into our books, lest somehow this stranger overcome us, and put us to shame. And having done so, they came together to the same place, and say to Philip We have doctrines of our fathers in which we are pleased, seeking after knowledge but if thou hast anystranger, show it to us without envy boldly for thing new, we have need of nothing else, but only to hear something new.^
:

;

:

Hellas,

philosophers of them you wish to hear some new thing, and are desirous of something new, you ought to throw away from you the disposition of the old man as my Lord said, It is impossible to put new wine into old bottles, since the bottle is burst, and the wine spilled, and the bottle destroyed.^ But they put new
Philip answering, said to
:

And

if

;

wine into fresh
1

bottles, so that
x.

both
9.

may

be preserved.
^

And

Comp. Matt.
Matt.

10

;

Mark

vi.

Acts

xvii. 21.

3 Cf.

ix. 17, etc.

317

318

THE ACTS OF

PHILIP.

these things the Lord said in parables, teaching us in His holy wisdom, that many will love the new wine, not having a bottle
fresh

gratulate

men of Hellas, and I conand new. And I love you, you for having said. We love something new. For instruction really new and fresh my Lord has brought into the world, in order that He might sweep away all worldly
instruction.

The philosophers say
Philip says
:
:

:

Who

is it

that thou callest thy Lord

?

Jesus in heaven. And they said to him Show him to our comprehension without envy, that we And Philip said: He with whom also may believe in him. I am about to make you acquainted as Lord, is above every

My

Lord

is

name
said,

;

there

is

no
;

other.^

And

this only I say

:

As you have

not refuse us through envy, let it not be that I should refuse you but rather in great exultation and in great, joy I have to reveal to you that name, for I have no other

Do

work in this world than this proclamation.^ For when my Lord came into this world, He chose us, being twelve in number, having filled us with the Holy Spirit from His light He made us know who He was, and commanded us to preach all salvation through Him, because there is no other name named out of heaven than this.^ On this account I have come to you, to make you fully assured, not in word only, but also in the showing forth of wonderful works in the name of our
;

Lord Jesus

Christ.

And when

the philosophers heard this, they say to Philip

This name that has been heard of by us from thee we have never found in the books of our fathers now, therefore, how can we know about thy words ? And moreover, in addition, they say to him Allow us three days, that we may consult with
; :

each other about this name for we lay no little stress upon Philip therefore to apostatize from our fathers' religion. this says to them: Consult as you wish; for there is no deceit in
;

—

the matter.

And

with each other, saying
to distraction.
1

the three hundred philosophers having assembled, spoke You know that this man has brought
:

a strange philosophy, and the words spoken

What, then,
2

shall

by him we do about him,

bring us
or about

Eph. L

21.

Or, preaching.

3 ^Qts. iv. 12.

THE A CTS OF
the

PHILIP.

31

name

of

him who
?

is

called Jesus, the king of the ages,

whom

he speaks of

And

moreover they say to each other
it

Assuredly

we cannot

reason with him, but the high priest of

the Jews can.

If therefore

seem good,
that
is

let

us send to him,

in order that he

may

stand up to this stranger, and that

we
:

may

learn accurately the

name

preached.

They wrote therefore to Jerusalem after this manner The philosophers of Hellas to Ananias, the great high priest of the Jews in Jerusalem. There being between thee and us at all times great ^ ... as thou knowest that we Athenians are searchers after truth. A certain foreigner has come to Hellas, Phnip by name and, in a word, he has disturbed us exceedingly, both by words and by extraordinary miracles, and
;

he introduces a glorious name, Jesus, professing himself to be And he does also wonders of which we write to his disciple. you, in that he has cast out demons that have been long in men, and makes the deaf hear, the blind see; and what is more wonderful which also we should have first mentioned he has raised up men after they were dead, that have fairly completed the number of their days.^ And the fame of him has gone abroad into all Hellas and Macedonia and there are many coming to him from the cities round about, bringing those who are ill with various diseases, and he heals them all through the name of Jesus. On this account, therefore, come to us without any reluctance, that thou thyself mayst announce For on to us what Jesus, this name which he teaches, means. high priest. this account also we have sent this letter to thee, And when he had read, he was filled with great wrath, and Has that deceiver gone even to rent his clothes, and said

—

;

:

Athens, among the philosophers, to lead them astray
the

?

Mansemat that is, Satan entered into Ananias unawares, and filled him with anger and rage and he said If I allow
;
:

—

—

And

that Philip himself, and those with him, to live, the law will

be entirely destroyed, and their teaching will likely fiU the whole earth. And the high priest went into his own house, and the teachers of the law, and the Pharisees and they con;

sulted with each other, saying
>

:

What

shall

we do about

these

Tliere seems to be
life.

some omission

in the mss. here.

«Lit., of

320
things

THE ACTS OF

PHILIP.
:

And they say to the high priest Ananias Stand up ? ^ and arm thyself, and five hundred able men out of the people, and go away to Athens, and by all means kill Philip, and thus
thou shalt overturn his teaching. And having put on the high priest's robe, he came to Hellas in great pomp, with the five hundred men. And Philip was in the house of a certain chief man of the city, with the brethren who had believed. And the high priest and those with him,

and the three hundred philosophers, went up to the gateway of the house where Philip was and it was told Philip that they were outside. And he rose up and went out. And when the high priest saw him, he says to him Philip, sorcerer and
;
:

magician, for I

Jerusalem thy master the deceiver called thee Son of Thunder.^ Was not the whole of Judea sufficient for you, but you have come here also to deceive
thee, that in

know

men who
that,

are searchers after

wisdom

?

And Philip

said

:

Would

Ananias, thy covering of unbelief were taken away

from thy heart, that thou mightst know my words, and from them learn whether I am a deceiver, or thou Ananias having heard this, said to Philip I shall give answer to all. And Philip said Speak. The high priest says
!

:

:

:

men of Hellas, this who was born among

Philip believes in a
us,

man

called Jesus,

who

also taught this heresy,

and

destroyed the law and the temple, and brought to nought the
purification through Moses,
says,

and the new moons, because he These have not been commanded by God. And when we saw that he thus destroyed the law, we stood up against him, and crucified him, that his teaching might not be fulfilled. For many changes were brought in by him and he gave an evil testimony, for he ate all things in common, and mixed
;

with blood, after the manner of the Gentiles.^ And having given him up, we put him to death, and buried him in a tomb and these disciples of his having stolen him, have proclaimed everywhere that he has risen from the dead, and have led astray
a great multitude by professing that he
1

is

at the right

hand

of

Or, tliese
It

2

men. was James and Jolin who were called sons of thunder (Mark
is

iii.

17).
it

3

This last sentence

very corrupt in the original.

A

few changes give

the meaning above.

THE ACTS OF
God
in heaven.'

PHILIP.

821

circumcision as

began to

But now these men, themselves having the we also have, have not followed it, since they do many deeds of power in Jerusalem through the
;

power of Christ with great boldness, exulting and saying I, men of Athens, and those of you who are philosophers, have come to you, not to teach you with words, but by the showing and in part you have quickly seen ^ the forth of miracles things that have come to pass through me, in that name by which the high priest himself is cast off.* Por, behold, I shall cry to my God, and teach you, and you will prove the words
;

of both.

The high

priest having heard this, ran to Philip, wishing to

scourge him, and that same hour his whole hand was dried up,

and his eyes were blinded and in like manner also hundred who were with him were also themselves And they reviled and cursed the high priest, saying out of Jerusalem we said to thee. Refrain for, being cannot fight against God.* But we entreat thee,
;

the five
blinded.

:

Coming
men, we
Philip,

;

apostle of the

God

Jesus, give us the light that

is

through

him, that

we
!

also

may

truly be his slaves.

what had come to pass, said: which has thrown itself upon us, but straightway bitter sea! which has been brought down low into itself; rouses its waves against us, and thinks to cast us out, but Now therefore, our which by itself lulls its waves to rest.
Philip, having seen

And

weak nature

'

Eom.
Or,

viii. 34, etc.

'

Better

Tax

«" Siitriah—^cjxi. will

perhaps

see.

3

*

which the high priest casts ofl for himself. Comp. Acts V. 39 and xxiii. 9 in Textus Receptus.

X

322

THE ACTS OF

PHILIP.

good steward Jesus, the holy light, Thou hast not overlooked us who are all together crying up to Thee in all good works, Now therefore but hast come to finish them through us. come. Lord Jesus reprove the folly of these men. The high priest says to Philip Dost thou then think to turn us away from the traditions of our fathers, and the God of the and dost thou imagine that thou wilt make desert, and Moses us followers of Jesus the Nazarene ? Then Philip says to him Behold, I shall pray to my God to come and manifest Himself before thee and the five hundred, and before all here for perhaps thou wilt change thy mind, and believe. But if even to the end thou remain in unbelief, there is coming upon thee an extraordinary thing, which shall be spoken of to generations that also thou shalt go down alive, down into of generations Hades, before the face of all seeing thee, because thou yet abidest in unbelief, because also thou seekest to turn away And Philip prayed, saying this multitude from the true life. holy Father of the holy Son Jesus Christ, who hast granted to me to believe in Him, send Thy beloved Son Jesus Christ to reprove the unbelieving high priest, that Thy name may be
;
:

;

;

—

glorified in Christ the Beloved.

And while Philip was yet crying out this, suddenly the heavens were opened, and Jesus appeared coming down in most and His face was shining excellent glory, and in lightning sevenfold more than the sun, and His garments were whiter than snow, so that also all the idols of Athens fell suddenly to
;

the ground.

dwelling

And the people fled in anguish and the demons among them cried out Behold, we also flee because of Him who has appeared to the city, Jesus the Son of God. Then Philip says to the high priest Hearest thou the demons crying out because of Him who has been seen, and believest thou not in Him who is present, that He is Lord of all ? The liigh priest says: I have no other God than the one in the
;
:

:

desert.

And as Jesus was going up into heaven there happened a very great earthquake, so that the place on which they stood was cleft and the crowds ran and fell at the feet of the apostle, man of God! In like crying out: Have mercy upon us,
;

manner

also the five

hundred men

cried out themselves also

THE ACTS OF
again
:

PHILIP.

323

Have mercy upon us, Philip, tliat we may know thee, and through thee Jesus the light of life for we said to tliis unbelieving high priest, Being sinful men, we cannot fight
:

against God.

Then Philip says There is no hatred in us, hut the grace of make you receive your sight but I will make the high priest receive his sight before you, that at this you may the more believe. And a voice out of heaven was brought to
:

Christ will

;

Philip, son once of thunder, but now of meekness, whatever thou mayst ask of my Father, He shall do for thee. And all the crowd was terror-struck at the voice, for the sound Then Philip says to of it was greater than that of thunder. the high priest In the name of the power of the voice of my Lord, receive thy sight, Ananias. And immediately he received What is there in the his sight, and looked round, and said magic of Jesus, that this Philip within a short time has made me blind, and again within a short time has made me receive my sight ? Dost thou then, said Philip, believe in Jesus ? The high priest says You do not think, do you, that you can bewitch me, and persuade me ? And the five hundred who were with him, having heard that their high priest, having received his sight, was yet unbelieving, said to the bystanders to pray

Philip

:

:

:

:

Philip that he should
they)

make them

receive their sight, that (said

we may

cut off this unbelieving high priest.
said
:

And
wicked.

Philip

Do
thee.

not avenge yourselves' upon the
:

And

he says to the high priest

There will be a
:

cer-

tain great sign

upon

He

says to Philip

I

know

that

thou art^a sorcerer and a disciple of Jesus: thou dost not bewitch me. And the apostle said to Jesus Saharthan, sabaAnd immediately the earth tliabt, hramanuch, come quickly. was cleft in the place where Ananias was, and swallowed him
:

great (is And Ananias cried out power of the true witchcraft, because it has cleft the earth, when Philip threatened it in Hebrew, and adjured it and it holds me even to the knees, and by the heels some hooks as it were drag me downwards, that I may believe in Philip but he cannot persuade me, for from Jerusalem I know his magic

up

as far as the knees.

:

the)

;

;

tricks.

And

Philip, enraged, said

:

earth, lay fast hold of him,

even

324
to the navel.

THE ACTS OF FBI LIP.
And
of

immediately it dragged him down. And he underneath is turned into ice, and the other is frightfully hot but by thy magic, Philip, I will not be overcome. Except, therefore, that I am sore tortured underAnd the crowds wished to stone neath, I do not believe at all.
said
:

The one

my feet
;

him.

And

Philip says

:

Not

so

;

for this

has in the meantime

happened, that he has been swallowed up as far as the navel, that the salvation of your souls may be effected, because he would almost have drawn you by his wicked words into unbelief.

But

if

even he repented,

I should bring
;

him up out
is

of

the earth to the salvation of his soul

but assuredly he

not

worthy of salvation. If, then, he remain in unbelief, you shall see him sunk down into the abyss, unless the Lord intends to
raise those
is

who are in Hades, that they may confess that Jesus For in that day every tongue shall confess that Jesus is Lord,^ and that there is one glory of the Father, and the Son, with the Holy Spuit for evermore. And Philip, having said this, extended his right hand, stretching it through the air over the five hundred men in the name of Jesus. And their eyes were opened, and they aD Christ praised God with one mouth, saying We bless Thee,
Lord.
:

Jesus, the

God
us,

of Philip, that

away from

and hast

Thou hast driven given vis Thy light, the

the blindness
gospel.

And
having

Philip rejoiced exceedingly at their words, because they were

thus confirmed in the

faith.

And
:

after this, Philip,

turned to the high priest, said Confess thou also in a pure heart that Jesus is Lord, that thou mayst be saved, like those with thee. But the high priest laughed at Philip, and remained
in unbelief.

Philip then, seeing that he remained in unbelief, having

looked at him, says to the earth

Open thy mouth, and neck in the presence of those who have believed in Christ Jesus. And in the same hour the earth, having opened its mouth, received him as far as the neck. And the multitude communed with each other on account of the wonders that had happened. A certain chief man of the city came crying out, and saying blessed apostle, a certain demon has assailed my sou, and
:

swallow liim up as

far as his

:

'

Phil.

ii.

11.

THE ACTS OF
come
with
this,
^

PHILIP.

325

cried out, sa3ang to me, Since thou hast allowed a foreigner to
into your city, thou

who

hast been the

first

our worship and our

sacrifices,

what

shall I

to do away do for thee,

? And after he said he strangled my son. Now therefore, I beseech thee, apostle of Christ, do not .allow my joy to be turned into sorrow, because I also have believed thy words. And the apostle, having heard this, said I wonder at the activity of the demons, that it is active in every place, and

except to kill this thine only begotten son

:

dares to assail those to whose help I have not been able to come,^ as now they have tried you, wishing to cause you to

he says to the man Bring me thy son, and I will through my Christ. And rejoicing, he ran to bring his son. And when he came near his house, he cried out, saying My son, I have come to thee to carry thee to the apostle, so that he may present thee to me living. And he ordered his slaves to carry the bed and his son was twentyoffend.
:

And

give

him

to thee alive,

:

;

three years old.

And when
:

Philip saw him, he was
:

moved

and he turned to the high priest, and said This has happened if, therefore, I shall raise him iip, wilt as a chance for thee thou henceforth believe ? And he says I know your magic arts, that thou wilt raise him up but I will not believe thee. And Philip, enraged, said A curse upon thee then go down
:

;

:

!

altogether into the abyss before the face of all these.

And

at

the same hour he went

Hades alive, except that the high priest's robe flew off from him and because of this, from that day, no one knew what became of the priest's robe. And the apostle turned round and prayed for the boy and having driven the demon away from him, he raised him up, and set him beside his father alive. And the multitude having beheld this, cried out The God
into
; ;
:

down

God, who has punished the unbelief of the high priest, and driven away the demon from the young man, And the five hundred and raised him up from the dead.
of Philip is the only

having seen the high priest swallowed up into the abyss, and
the other miracles, besought Philip, and he gave them the seal And Philip abode in Athens two years and having. in Christ.
;
'

Or, thou being a chief

man who

has done away wiUi.
here.

*

There

is

some doubt about the reading

326

THE ACTS OF
cliurch,

PHILIP.

founded a

went away
for ever.

to Parthia, preaching Christ.

appointed a bishop and a presbyter, and so To whom be glory

Amen.

ADDITION TO ACTS OF PHILIP.
FROM A PARIS
MS.

And
for

he taught them thus
of

:

My brethren, sons
my

of

you are

my

family as to Christ, substance of

my father my city,

the Jerusalem above, the delight of

dwelling-place

—why

have you been taken captive by your enemy the serpent, twisted, crooked, and perverse, to whom God has given neither hands nor feet? And crooked is his going, since he is the son of the wicked one for his father is death, and his mother Do not go then into his corruption, and ruin is in his body. destruction for you are in bondage by the unbelief and decep^ tion of his son, who is without order, and has no substance formless, and has no form in the whole creation, either in the
; ;
;

heaven or in the
waters.

earth, or

among the

fishes that are in the

from him, since he has no resemblance to men his dwelling is the abyss, and he walks Flee, then, from him, that his venom may not be in darkness. poured out upon you if his venom be poured out upon your But remain rather in the body, you walk in his wickedness. true worship, being faithful, reverent, and good, without guile. Flee from Satan the dragon, and remove from you his wicked seed, namely desire, by which he begets disease in the soul, which is the venom of the serpent. For desire is of the serpent from the beginning, and she it is who arms herself against the faithful for she came forth out of the darkness, and returns to the darkness. You ought therefore, after coming to us, or rather through us to God, to throw out the venom of tlie devil from your bodies. And as the apostle was saying this, behold, Nicanora came forth from her house, and went with her slaves into the house

But

if

you

see him, flee

:

:

;

of Stachys.

behold,

And when she came near Mariamme spoke to her in the

the door of the house,
Syriac language
:

Heli-

THE ACTS OF
komaei, Jcosma, etaa, mariaclia.

PHILIP.

327

she explained her •words, thou art my lady, who hast been given in pledge to the serpent but I have come to deliver thee I shall break thy bonds, and cut them from their saying
:

And

daughter of the

Spirit,

;

:

root.

Behold, the Deliverer that frees thee has come behold, Sun of Eighteousness has risen to enlighten thee. And when she was thus speaking, the gloomy tyrant came running and panting. And Nicanora, who was before the door, heard this, and took courage before them all, crying out and
:

the

am a Hebrew, a daughter of the Hebrews; speak with me in the language of my fathers, because I have heard your preaching, and have been cured of this my disease. I reverence and glorify the goodness of God, in that He hath
saying: I

made you to be utterly spoiled in this earth. And when she said this, the tyrant came, and took hold
her garments, and said
this
:

of

Nicanora, did I not leave thee lying

on the bed from thy disease ? Whence, then, hast thoii found power and strength, so as to be able to come to these magicians ? Unless, then, thou tell who is the healer, I shall punish thee most severely. And Nicanora answered, and said rearer of tyrants, cast away from thyself this tyranny, and forget thy wicked works, and abandon this temporary life, and put away vainglory, because it passes like a shadow seek rather what is everlasting, and take away from thyself the beastly and impious work of base desire, and reject vain intercourse, which is the husbandry of death, the dark prison and overturn the middle wall of corruption, and prepare for thyself a life chaste and spotless, that we may altogether live in sancIf, then, thou wishest me to remain with thee, I will live tity. with thee in continence. And when the tyrant heard these words, he seized her by the hair of the head, and dragged her along, kicking her, and saying: It would be better for thee to be put to death by my sword, than to be seen with these foreign magicians and I will punish thee, therefore, and put to death deceivers. And he turned in a rage to those who have deceived thee. the executioners who followed him, and said Bring me these
: ; :

impostors.
.

And

the executioners ran to the house of Stachys,

and

laid hold of Philip,

and Bartholomew, and Mariamne, with

828

THE ACTS OF

PHILIP.

the leopard and the kid of the goats, and dragged them along,

and brought them.

When

the tyrant saw them, he gnashed his teeth against
:

Drag along these magicians and deceivers that souls of women by saying. We are worAnd he caused thongs to be brought, and shippers of God. bound their feet. And he ordered them to be dragged along from the gate as far as the temple. And great multitudes came together to that place. And they wondered exceedingly at the leopard and the kid for they were speaking like men, and some of the multitude believed the words of the apostles.
them, and said
have» deceived

many

;

And the And when

These men are magicians. he heard that, he burned with rage, and was filled with anger; and he ordered Philip, and Bartholomew, and Mariamne to be stripped, saying Search them. Perhaps you
priests said to the tyrant
:
:

will find their sorcery.

And

the executioners stripped them,

and laid hold of Mariamne, and dragged her along, saying: Uncover her, that they may learn that it is a woman who follows them. And he ordered to bring clubs and strong cords and after piercing Philip's ankles they brought hooks, and put the cords through his ankles, and hung him head downwards on a tree that was before the door of the temple and they And after bindfixed pegs into the temple wall, and left him. ing Bartholomew hand and foot, they extended him naked on the wall and when they had stripped Mariamne, the appearance of her body was changed, and became a glass chest filled with light, and they could not come near her. And Philip spoke with Bartholomew in Hebrew Where is John to-day, in the day of our need ? for, behold, we are being delivered from our bodies. And they have laid hands on Mariamne beyond what is seemly, and they have scourged the leopard and the kid of the goats, and have set fire to the house Let us therefore speak, that of Stachys, because he took us in. fire may come down from heaven and burn them up. And as Philip was thus speaking, behold, John came into the city, and walked about the street, and asked those in the What is the commotion, and who are these men, and city why are they punished ? And they say to him Art thou not of this city ? And dost thou not know about these men, how
; ;
: :
:

THE ACTS OF
tliey disturbed

PHILIP.

329

Moreover, our houses, and the whole city? they have even persuaded our wives to go away from us on the pretence of religion, proclaiming a foreign name, viz. Christ's and they liave also shut our temples by the sorcery they have,

and they have put to death the serpents that are in the -city by foreign names that we have never known. And they have
fixed their abode in the house of Stachys the blind

man,

whom

they made to recover his sight through the spittle of a woman who accompanies them; and it is perhaps she who has all

and there accompany them a leopard and a kid, But if ever you have seen such doings, you wiU not be put about by them. And John answered, and
the sorcery
:

speaking like men.
said to

them

:

Show me them.
:

And

they brought him to the

temple where Philip was hanging.
John, he said to Bartholomew
of Barega

And when

Philip saw

—that
great
is

my

brother, behold the son

is,

the living water

—has
:

come.

And John
;

saw Philip hanging head down, tied by his ankles Bartholomew also bound to the temple wall.

and saw

And
pent,

he said to the

men

of the city
!

children of the ser-

your folly for the way of deceit has deceived you, the wicked dragon breathing has breathed upon you: why do you punish these men for saying the serpent is your

how

enemy?

And when they heard these words from John, they laid their hands upon him, saying We called thee our fellow-citizen, but now thy speech has made thee manifest that thou also art in communion with them. Thou also, therefore, shalt be put to the same death as they, for the priests have decided thus Let us drain out their blood as they hang head downward, and mix it with wine, and offer it to the viper. And when they were thus speaking, behold, Mariamne rose up from the place in which she was, and came back to her former appearance. And the priests reached forth their hands towards John, wishing to lay hold of him, and they could not. Then Philip with Bartholomew said to John Where is Jesus, who enjoins upon us not to take into our own hands vengeance on those that torture us ? for after this I will not endure them. And Philip spoke in Hebrew, and said: My Father Christ, Father of majesty, whose name all the Uthael, i.e.,
: : :

and they have become quiet because of Thee, and through Thee the serpents have departed from us Hear us before we ask. Thou who seest us before we call, who knowest our thoughts, the All-surveyor^ of all, who sends forth from Himself unnumbered compassions let the abyss open its mouth, and swallow up tliese godless persons who will not accept the word of Thy
forth to the wild beasts of the desert,
:

;

truth.

And in that very hour the abyss opened its mouth, and all that place was violently shaken, from the proconsul to all the multitude along with the priests and they were all sunk down.
;

the places where the apostles and all who were with them were remained unshaken, and the house of Stachys, and Nica-

And

nora the tyrant's wife, and the twenty-four wives who fled from their husbands, and the forty virgins who had not known men. These alone did not go down into the abyss, because they had become servants, and had received the word of God, and His
seal
;

but

all

the rest of the city were swallowed

down

into the

abyss.

And the

Who

is it

that has put his

Saviour having appeared at that hour, said to Philip hand to the plough, and has turned

back from making the furrow straight ? or who gives his light to others, and himself remains sitting in darkness ? or who dwells in the dirt, and leaves his dwelling-place to strangers ? or who lays down his garment, and goes out in the days of winter naked ? or what slave that has done his master's service, shall not be called by him to supper ? or who runs with zeal
in the racecourse,

my

and does not get the prize ? Philip, behold chamber is ready, and blessed is he who has his own shining garment for he it is who gets the crown of joy upon his head. Behold, the supper is ready, and blessed is he
bridal
;

who
field

is
;

called

blessed

is

by the bridegroom. Great the able workman.
^ luva.ffruf.

is

the harvest of the

And when
'

Philip heard these words from the Saviour, he
^ ravs^nVxo'^-aj.

Or. .BOnS.

THE ACTS OF
:

PHILIP.

331

answered and said to Him Thou didst give us leave, Jesus of Nazareth, and dost Thou not enjoin us to smite those who do not wish Thee to reign over them ? But this we know, that Thy name has not been proclaimed in all the world, and Thou hast sent us to this city. And I did not intend to come into this city, and Thou didst send me, after giving me Thy
true

commandment, that

I should drive

away

all deceit,

and

bring to nothing every idol and demon, and
the unclean one.

all

the power of
fled

And when

I

came

here, the

demons

from

Thy name, and the dragons and the serpents withered away, but these men did not take to themselves Thy
our faces through
true light
;

and

for this reason I resolved to bring
folly.
:

them

low,

according to their

And
this

the Saviour said

Philip, since thou hast forsaken

commandment

of mine, not to render evil for evil,^ for this

reason thou shalt be debarred in the next world for forty years

from being in the place of my promise besides, this is the end body in this place and Bartholomew has his lot in Lycaonia, and shall be crucified there and
:

of thy departure from the

;

;

Mariamne

shall lay

down her body

in the river Jordan.

And
made

the Saviour turned and stretched out His hand, and
;

the sign of the cross in the air
its

and

it

was

full of light,

and had

form

after the likeness of a ladder.

And

all

the

multitude of the
of

men

of the city

who had gone down
light,

into the

abyss came up upon the ladder of the cross of

them remained

in the abyss, but only the tyrant

and none and the
the

priests,

and the viper which they worshipped.

And when

multitudes came up from the abyss, they looked and saw Philip

hanging head down, and Bartholomew upon tlie wall of the temple, and they also found Mariamne in her first shape. And the Saviour went up into heaven in the sight of Philip and Bartholomew and Mariamne, and the leopard and the kid of the goats, and Nicanora and Stachys; and they all with a loud voice glorified God with fear and trembling, crying out There is one God who has sent us His salvation, whose name these men proclaim we repent therefore of the error in which we were before yesterday, not being worthy of eternal life and we believe, having seen the wonderful things that have come to
:
:

;

^

:Matt. V.

39

:

1

Pet.

iii.

9.

332
pass tlirough us.
faces,
flee,

THE ACTS OF

PHILIP,

And some of them threw themselves on their and worshipped the apostles and others made ready to
;
:

saying

There

may

be another earthquake like the one

that has just happened.

And

stretching out his hands, the Apostle Philip, hanging
:

head down, said

Men

of the city, hear these

words which I
learned

am
how

going to say to you, hanging head down.

Ye have

which you saw when your city was destroyed by the earthquake which came upon it. And this was manifest to you, that the house of Stachys was not destroyed, and that he did not go down into the abyss, because he believed on the true God, and received us His servants. And I, having fulfilled all the will of my God, am His debtor for what I requited to him that did evil to me. And some of those who had been baptized ran to loose Philip And he answered and said to them hanging head down. .^ those who are virgins in the membtrs My brethren, of their flesh and commit fornication in their hearts, and the And fornication of their eyes, shall abound like the deluge. they grow immoderate from listening to persuasive pleasures, and their forgetting tlie God of the knowledge of the gospel hearts are full of arrogance, eating and drinking in their worship, That forgetting the holy commandment, and despising it.
great are the powers of God, and the wonders
. . ;

generation

is

turned aside

;

but blessed

is

he that retires into

his retreat, for he shall obtain rest in his departure.

Knowest

thou not, Bartholomew, that the word of our Lord is true life and knowledge ? for the Lord said to us in His teaching, Every one who shall look upon a woman, and lust after her in And on this account our his heart, has completed adultery.^ brother Peter fled from every place in which a woman was,
1 Here a good deal of the text is wanting. The Bodleian MS. fills up the Walking two and two, but let them not talk with the blank to some extent young men, lest Satan tempt them. For he is a creeping serpent, and made Adam be destroyed even to death. And thus shall it be again at this time, for the time and the season shall be wicked. Many women and men shall leave the work of marriage, and the women shall assume the name of virginitj', but knowing nothing at all about it, and that it has a great and glorious seal. And there shall be many men in those days in word only, and not in its power for they shall observe virginity in the members of their flesh, and commit loruica:

—

;

tion in their hearts, etc.
^*

Matt.

v.

28.

THE ACTS OF

PHILIP.
;

333

and yet there was scandal on account of his own daughter and he prayed to the Lord, and she had paralysis of her side, that
she niight not be deceived.

Thou

seest, brother, that

the sight

and the beginning of sin, as it is written,^ She looked, and saw the tree, that it was pleasing Let the to her eyes, and good for food, and she was deceived. hearing, then, of the virgins be holy and in their going out let them walk two and two, for many are the wiles of the enemy. Let their walk and conversation be well ordered, that they may be saved but if not, let their fruit be common. My brother Bartholomew, give these promises to Stachys, and appoint him ruler and bishop in the church, that he may be like thee, teaching well. Do not entrust the office to a man too young appoint not such a one to the chair of the teachers, lest thou profane the witness of Christ. For he that teaches should have his works corresponding to his words, that the word may be ready on every occasion in its own glory. But Take, I am being released from my body, hanging head down. then, my body, and prepare it for burial in Sp'ian paper, and do not put about it linen cloth, since they put it upon the body of our Lord, and wrap it close in paper and papyrus, and put it
of the eyes brings gainsaying,
;
; :

in the vestibule of the holy church.
forty days, that

And

pray over

me

for

God may

forgive the transgression

in that I requited evil to

him

that did evil to

which I did, me, and there

may not be for me And after thus
us wise in
ledge,

in the world to

come the

forty years.

speaking, Philip prayed, saying:
all light,

My

Lord

Jesus Christ, Father of the ages, King of

who makest
know-

Thy wisdom, who

hast given us the exalted

who
away

hast graciously conferred upon us the counsel of

Thy who

goodness,

who

hast never departed from us

;

takest

disease from those

who

take refuge in Thee

Thou who Thou
;

hast given us the Word, to turn unto Thee those
;

who

have been led astray Thou who hast given us signs and wonders on behalf of those of little faith Thou who presentest Thou who art the the crown to those who have conquered judge of the games, who hast given us the crown of joy, who speakest with us, that we may be able to withstand those that hurt us Thou art He who sows and reaps, and completes, and
;

;

;

1

Gen.

iii,

6,

334
increases,

THE ACTS OF
and
vivifies all

PHILIP.
:

threats are to us help

Thine own servants reproaches and and power through those who turn to Thee through us, who are Thy servants. Come, Lord, and gixQ me the crown of victory in the presence of men. Let not their dark air envelope me, nor their smoke burn the shape of my soul, that I may cross the waters of the abyss, and not sink in them. My Lord Jesus Christ, let not the enemy find anything that he can bring against me in the presence of Thee, the true Judge, but clothe me in Thy shining robe, and [The rest
,

.

.

is

wanting.]

ACTS AND MAETYEDOM OF THE HOLY

APOSTLE ANDEEW.

HAT

we have

all,

both presbyters and deacons of

the churches of Achaia, beheld with our eyes,

we

have written to

all

the churches established in the

name
north and south.

of Christ Jesus, both in the east

and west,

Peace to you, and to all who believe in one God, perfect Trinity, true Father unbegotten, true Son onlybegotten, true Holy Spirit proceeding from the Father, and

may be shown one Holy and Son in precious Godhead. This faith we have learned from the blessed Andrew, the apostle of our Lord Jesus Christ, whose passion also we, having seen it set forth before our eyes, have not hesitated to give an acabiding in the Son, in order that there
Spirit subsisting in the Father

count

of,

according to the degree of ability

we

have.

Accordingly the proconsul ^geates,^ having come into the city of Patras, began to compel those believing in Christ to worship the idols to whom the blessed Andrew, running up,
;

behoved thee, being a judge of men, to acknowledge thy Judge who is in the heaven, and having ackowledged Him, to worship Him and worshipping Him who is the true God, to turn away thy thoughts from those which are not true gods. To whom ^geates said Art tliou Andrew, who destroyest the temples of the gods, and persuadest men about the religion
said: It
;
;

which, having lately made

its

appearance, the emperors of the
of the Piomans have

Eomans have given orders to suppress ? The blessed Andrew said The emperors
:

never recognised the truth.
'

And

tins the
is iEgor-.s.

Son

of God,

who

Another reading 335

336

ACTS AND MARTYRDOM OF
of men, manifestly teaches

came on account of the salvation

that these idols are not only not gods, but also most shameful

demons,^ and hostile to the human race, teaching men to offend God, so that, by being offended, He turns away and will not hearken that therefore, by His turning away and not hearken;

ing,

they
til

work
they

may be held captive by the devil; and that they might em to such a degree, that when they go out of the body may be found deserted and naked, carrying nothing with
:

them but sins. ^geates said
your Jesus,
nailed

These are superfluous and vain words
things to the

:

as for

for proclaiming these

Jews they

him to the tree of the cross. The blessed Andrew answering,
^

said

:

Oh,

if

thou wouldst

recognise the mystery of the cross, with

what reasonable love
!

the Author

of the life of the
cross,

human

race for our restoration

endured this tree of the
:

not unwillingly, but willingly

^geates said Seeing that, betrayed by his own disciple, and seized by the Jews, he was brought before the procurator, and according to their request was nailed up by the procurator's soldiers, in what way dost thou say that he willingly
endured the tree of the cross ? The holy Andrew said For this reason I say willingly, since For I was with Him when He was betrayed by His disciple. before He was betrayed, He spoke to us to the effect that He should be betrayed and crucified for the salvation of men, and To whom foretold that He should rise again on the third day. my brother Peter said,' Far be it from Thee, Lord let this by no means be. And so, being angry. He said to Peter, Get
:

;

thee behind me, Satan
of God.

;

for

thou art not disposed to the things

And

in order that

He

willingly underwent the passion,

He might most fully explain that He said to us,* I have

power to lay down my life, and I have power to take it again. And, last of all, while He was supping with us. He said,^ One of you will betray me. At these words, therefore, all becoming exceedingly grieved, in order that the surmise might be free from doubt, He made it clear, saying, To whomsoever I shall
give the piece of bread out of
Dtmt. xxxii. 17 ' Matt. xvi. 22.
'
;

my

hand, he

it
2

is

who

betrays

1

Cor. x. 20, 21.
*

Or, Prince.

Jolm

x. 18.

*

Matt. xxvi. 21.

THE HOLY APOSTLE ANDREW.
me.

337

When,

therefore,

He

gave

it

to one of our fellow-disciples,

and gave an account of things to come as if they were alreadypresent, He showed that He was to be willingly betrayed. For neither did He run away, and leave His betrayer at fault but, remaining in the place in which He knew that he was. He
;

awaited him.

^geates

said

:

I

shouldst wish to uphold

wonder that thou, being a sensible man, him on any terms whatever for,
;

whether willingly or unwillingly, that he was fastened to the cross.

all

the same, thou admittest

The blessed Andrew
if

said
is

:

This

is

what

I said, if

now thou

apprehendest, that great

the mystery of the cross, which,
to hear, attend to me.^

thou wishest, as
jEgeates said
:

is likely,

A mystery it
said
:

cannot be called, but a punishis

ment.

The blessed Andrew
of man's restoration.

This punishment

the mystery
attention,

If thou wilt listen with

any

thou wilt prove

it.
:

-^geates said I indeed will hear patiently but thou, unless thou submissively obey me, shalt receive " the mystery of the
;

cross in thyself.

The blessed Andrew answered
tree of the cross, I should not
cross.

If I had been afraid of the have proclaimed the glory of the
:

^geates said

:

Thy speech
is

is

foolish,

because thou pro-

claimest that the cross

not a punishment, and through thy
It is not through foolhardiness, but

foolhardiness thou art not afraid of the punishment of death.

The holy Andrew
through
faith, that I

said

:

am

not afraid of the punishment of death;

for the death of sins^ is hard.

And

on this account I wish

thee to hear the mystery of the cross, in order that thou perhaps, acknowledging
it, mayst believe, and believing, mayst come somehow or other to the renewing of thy soul. ^geates said That which is shown to have perished is for
:

'

Another reading
it.

is

:

This
;

is

what

the mystery of the cross
reveal
*

and

if so

that great is I spoke of, as you know be that you are willing to listen, I will

—

Perhaps we should read

avaSi/|£/,

shalt exhibit, for «vaSs^ii.

5

Two

Mss., of sinners.

Y

338
renewing.

ACTS AND MARTYRDOM OF
Do you mean that my soul has perished, that thou me come to the renewing of it through the faith, T
I desired

makest

not what, of which thou hast spoken ? The blessed Andrew answered: This it is which thee to learn, which also I shall teach and make
that though the souls of

know

manifest,

men

are destroyed, they shall be re-

newed through the mystery of the cross. For the first man through the tree of transgression brought in death and it was necessary for the human race, that through the suffering of the tree, death, which had come into the world, should be driven
;

man, who brought death into the world tree, had been produced from the spotless earth, it was necessary that the Son of God should be begotten a perfect man from the spotless virgin, that He should restore eternal life, which men had lost through Adam, and should cut off ^ the tree of carnal appetite through the tree Hanging upon the cross, He stretched out His of the cross. blameless hands for the hands which had been incontinently stretched out for the most sweet food of the forbidden tree He received gall for food and taking our mortahty upon Himself, He made a gift of His immortality to us. -^geates said With these words thou shalt be able to lead
out.

And

since the

first

through the transgression of the

;

;

:

away those who shall come to grant me this,
to that very cross

believe in thee; but unless thou hast

that thou offer sacrifices to the almighty

gods, I shall order thee, after having been scom-ged, to be fastened

which thou coramendest. The blessed Andrew said To God Almighty, who alone is true,, I bring sacrifice day by day; not the smoke of incense, nor
:

the flesh of bellowing buUs, nor the blood of goats, but sacrificing
a spotless
all

lamb day by day on the

altar of the cross;

and though

the people of the faithful partake of His body and drink

His blood, the Lamb that has been sacrificed remains after this Truly, therefore, is He sacrificed, and truly entire and alive. is His body eaten by the people, and His blood is likewise drunk; nevertheless, as I have said. He remains entire, and spotless, and alive. iEgeates said How can this be ? The blessed Andrew said If thou wouldest know, take the
: :

1

Or, shut out.

THE HOLY APOSTLE ANDREW.
form of a
ing
after,
:

339

disciple, that

thou mayst learn what thou art inquir-

^geates said

I will exact of thee through tortures the gift

of this knowledge.
I wonder that thou, being an man, shouldest fall into^ the folly of thinking that thou mayst be able to persuade me, through thy tortures, to
:

The blessed Andrew declared

intelligent

disclose to thee the sacred things of God.

Thou hast heard the

mystery of the cross, thou hast heard the mystery of the sacrifice. If thou believest in Christ the Son of God, who was
crucified, I shall altogether disclose to thee in

what manner
having been
entire

the

Lamb

that has been slain

may

live,

after

sacrificed
spotless,

and eaten, remaining in His kingdom
:

and

his

^geates said And by what means does the lamb remain in kingdom after he has been slain and eaten by all the people,
?
:

as thou hast said

said If thou believest w^ith all thy thou shalt be able to learn; but if tliou believest not, thou shalt not by any means attain to the idea of such truth. Then ^geates, enraged, ordered him to be shut up in prison, where, when he was shut up, a multitude of the people came together to him from almost all the province, so that they wished to kill ^Egeates, and by breaking down the doors of the
heart,

The blessed Andrew

prison to set free tbe blessed

Andrew

the apostle.

Them the blessed Andrew admonished in these words, saying: Do not stir up the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ into seditious and devilish uproar. For my Lord, when He was betrayed, endured it with all patience; He did not strive, He did not cry out, nor in the streets did any one hear Him crying out.^
Therefore do ye also keep silence, quietness, and peace; and

my martyrdom, but rather get yourselves also ready beforehand as athletes to the Lord, in order that you may overcome threatenings by a soul that has no fear of man, and that you may get the better of injuries through the endurance of
hinder not
the body.

For this temporary fall is. not to be feared; but that should be feared which has no end. The fear of men, then, is like smoke which, while it is raised and gathered together, dis'

Lit.,

be rolled towards.

^

Matt,

xii.

19.

340

ACTS AND MARTYRDOM OF

And those torments ought to be feared which never appears. have an end. For these torments, which happen to be somewhat light, any one can bear but if they are heavy, they soon But those torments are everlasting, where there destroy life. are daily weepings, and mournings, and lamentations, and never-ending torture, to which the proconsul ^geates is not Be ye therefore rather prepared for this, that afraid to go. through temporary afflictions ye may attain to everlasting rest, and may flourish for ever, and reign with Christ.-^ The holy Apostle Andrew having admonished the people with these and such like words through the whole night, when the light of day dawned, Jjlgeates having sent for him, ordered the blessed Andrew to be brought to him; and having sat down upon the tribunal, he said I have thought that thou, by thy reflection during the night, hast turned away thy thoughts from folly, and given up thy commendation of Christ, that thou mightst be able to be with us, and not throw away the pleasures of life for it is folly to come for any purpose to the suffering of the cross, and to give oneself up to most shameful punishments and burnings. The holy Andrew answered I shall be able to have joy with thee, if thou wilt believe in Christ, and throw away the worship of idols for Christ has sent me to this province, in which I have acquired for Christ a people not the smallest. ^geates said: For this reason I compel thee to make a libation, that these people who have been deceived by thee may forsake the vanity of thy teaching, and may themselves for not even one city has offer grateful libations to the gods remained in Achaia in which their temples have not been forsaken and deserted. And now, through thee, let them be again restored to the worship of the images, in order that the gods also, who have been enraged against thee, being pleased by this, may bring it about that thou mayst return to their friendBut if not, thou awaitest varied tortures, on ship and ours. account of the vengeance of the gods and after these, fastened to the tree of the cross which thou commendest, thou shalt die. The holy Andrew said: Listen, son of death and chaff made ready for eternal burnings,^ to me, the servant of God
;
:

;

:

;

;

^*

;

1

Cf. 2 Cor. iv. 17.

^

Or, their sacred rites.

3 Cf.

Matt.

iii.

12.

THE HOLY APOSTLE ANDREW.

341

and apostle of Jesus Christ. Until now I have conversed with thee kindly about the perfection of the faith, in order that thou, receiving the exposition of the truth, being made perfect as its vindicator, mightst despise vain idols, and worship God, who is in the heavens but since thou remainest in the same shamelessness at last, and thinkest me to be afraid
;

whatever may seem to For the more shall I be well pleasing to my King, the more I shall endure in tortures for the confession of His name. Then the proconsul ^geates, being enraged, ordered the apostle of Christ to be afflicted by tortures. Being stretched out, therefore, by seven times three ^ soldiers, and beaten with violence, he was lifted up and brought before the impious ^geates. And he spoke to him thus Listen to me, Andrew, and withdraw thy thoughts from the outpouring of thy blood but if thou wilt not hearken to me, I shall cause thee to perish on the tree of the cross.
because of thy threats, bring against
thee greater in the

me

way

of tortures.

:

The holy Andrew said I am a slave of the cross of Christ, and I ought rather to pray to attain to the trophy of the cross than to be afraid; but for thee is laid up eternal torment, which, however, thou mayst escape after thou hast tested my endurance, if thou wilt believe in my Christ. For I am afflicted about thy destruction, and I am not disturbed about my own suff"ering. For my suffering takes up a space of one day, or two at most but thy torment for endless ages shall never come Wherefore henceforward cease from adding to thy to a close. miseries, and lighting up everlasting fire for thyself. ^geates then being enraged, ordered the blessed Andrew to be fastened to the cross.^ And he having left them all, goes up to the cross, and says to it with a clear voice Eejoice, cross, which has been consecrated by the body of Christ, and adorned by His limbs as if with pearls. Assuredly before my Lord went up on thee, thou hadst much earthly fear but now
:

;

:

;

'
"^

Another reading

is,

seven qiiaternions.
:

One of tlie mss. lias here Giving orders to the centurions that he should be bound hand and foot as if he were stretched on the rack, and not pierced with
nails,

that he might not die soon,

but be tormented with long-continuing

torture.

342

ACTS AND MARTYRDOM OF
^

invested with heavenly longing, thou art fitted up

according to

my

prayer.

For I know, from those who believe, how many
care, then,

Him, how many gifts prepared beforehand. and with joy, I come to thee, that thou also exulting mayst receive me, the disciple of Him that was hanged upon thee because thou hast been always faithful to me, and I have desired to embrace thee. O.good cross, which hast received comeliness and beauty from the limbs of the much longed for, and earnestly desired, and fervently Lord sought after, and already prepared beforehand for my soul longing for thee, take me away from men, and restore me to
graces thou hast in

Free from

;

;

my

Master, in order that through thee

He may

accept

me who

through thee has redeemed me. And having thus spoken, the blessed Andrew, standing on the ground, and looking earnestly upon the cross, stripped himself and gave his clothes to the executioners, having urged the brethren that the executioners should come and do what had been commanded them for they were standing at some dis;

they having come up, lifted him on the cross and having stretched his body across with ropes, they only bound his feet, but did not sever his joints,^ having received this order
tance.

And

;

from the proconsul for he wished him to be in distress while hanging, and in the night-time, as he was suspended, to be eaten
:

up

alive

by
;

dogs.*

And a

great multitude of the brethren stood by, nearly twenty

thousand and having beheld the executioners standing off, and that they had done to the blessed (one) nothing of what those who were hanged up suffer, they thought that they would again hear something from him for assuredly, as he was hanging, he
;

moved

And Stratocles inquired head smiling. Why art thou smiling, Andrew, servant of God ? Thy makes us mourn and weep, because we are deprived And the blessed Andrew answered him Shall I not
his
:

of

him:

laughter
of thee.

laugh at

all,

my
The

son Stratocles, at the empty stratagem of ^geates,
is

'

Another reading

:

I

am

attached to thee.
to be that he

»

original is obscure.

The meaning seems

was tied only,

not nailed. The nailing, however, seems to have been an essential part of the puniblmient of crucifixion.
*

It

was common

to let loose wild beasts

on the crucified (Sueton. Nero,

49).

THE HOLY APOSTLE ANDREW.

343

through which he thinks to take vengeance upon us ? "VVe have nothing to do with him and his plans. He cannot hear for if he could, he would be aware, having learned it by experience, that a man of Jesus is unpunished.^

common, judgment of ^geates Ye men standing by me, and women, and children, and elders, bond and free, and as many as will hear I beseech you, forsake all this life, ye who have for my sake assembled here and hasten to take upon you my life, which leads to heavenly things, and once for all despise all temporary things,
all in

And having thus
:

spoken, he discoursed to them

for the people ran together enraged at the unjust

;

;

confirming the purposes of those

who

believe in Christ.

And

he exhorted them
transitory

all,

teaching that the sufferings of this

life are not worthy to be compared with the future recompense of the eternal life.

And

the multitude hearing what was said by him, did not

stand off from the place, and the blessed
rather to say to

them more than he had spoken.

Andrew continued the And so much

was said by him, that a space of three days and nights was taken up, and no one was tired and went away from him. And when also on the fourth day they beheld his nobleness, and the unweariedness of his intellect, and the multitude of his words, and the serviceableness of his exhortations, and the stedfastness of his soul, and the sobriety of his spirit, and the fixedness of his mind, and the perfection of his reason, they were enraged against ^geates; and all with one accord hastened to the tribunal, and cried out against ^geates, who was sitting, saying: What is thy judgment, proconsul? Thou hast judged wickedly thy awards are impious. In what has the man done wrong ? what evil has he done ? The city has been put in an
;

uproar

;

thou grievest us

all

;

do not betray Caesar's

city.

Grant

willingly to the Achaians a just
;

man
;

;

grant willingly to us a

God-fearing man do not put to death a godly man. Four days he has been hanging, and is alive having eaten nothing, he has

And there ran up a great multitude, about twi-nty thousand in number, among whom was the brother of iEgeas, Stratocles by name and he cried out with the people, It is an unjust judgment. And the holy Andrew, hitting upon the thoughts of tie believers, exhorted tliem to endure the temporary trial, saying that the suffering counted for nothing when compared with the eternal recompense.
^

Instead of this paragraph, one MS. has

:

;

344
filled all

ACTS AND MARTYRDOM OF
ns
all.

seek after wisdom

Take down the man from the cross, and we shall release the man, and to all Achaia will
;

mercy be shown,
this,

It is not necessary that

he should

suffer

because, though hanging, he does not cease proclaiming the

truth.

And when

the proconsul refused to listen to them, at

first

indeed signing with his hand to the crowd to take themselves off, they began to be emboldened against him, being in number

about twenty thousand.

And

the proconsul having beheld that

they had somehow become maddened, afraid that something frightful would befall him, rose up from the tribunal and went

away with them, having promised to set free the blessed Andrew. And some went on before to tell the apostle the cause for which they came to the place. While all the crowd, therefore, was exulting that the blessed Andrew was going to be set free, the proconsul having come up,
and all the brethren rejoicing along with MaximiUa,^ the blessed Andrew, having heard this, said to the brethren standing by

What

it is

necessary for

me
?

to say to him,

when

I

am

departing

to the Lord, that will I also say.

For what reason hast thou

again come to us, J^^geates

a stranger to us,^ come to us
do,

?

On what account dost thou, being What wilt thou again dare to
?

Hast thou come to release us, would not agree with thee Nor would I believe that thou hadst really changed thy mind. Dost thou, proconsul, thee, saying that thou art my friend. By no means. For I have release him that has been bound ? One with whom I shall be for ever I have One with whom I To Him I go to Him I hasten, shall live to countless ages.

what

to contrive

?

Tell us.

as having changed thy

mind

I

;

;

who

having made thee known to me, has said to me, Let not that fearful man terrify thee do not think that he will lay hold of thee, who art mine for he is thine enemy. Therefore, having known thee through him who has turned towards me, But if thou wishest to believe in I am delivered from thee. Christ, there will be opened up for thee, as I promised thee, a way of access but if thou hast come only to release me, I shall
also
;
:

;

not be able after this to be brought
*

down from this
us.

cross alive in

One
i.

MS. calls her the proconsul's wife.

•

e.

having nothing to do with

THE HOLY APOSTLE ANDREW.
the body.

345

kinsmen depart to onr own, allowing and what thou dost not know about thyself. I'or already I see my King, already I worship Him, already I stand before Him, where the fellowship ^ of the angels is, where He reigns the only emperor, where there is light without night, where the flowers never fade, where trouble is never known, nor the name of grief heard, where there are cheerfuhiess and exultation that have no end. blessed cross without the longing for thee, no one enters into that place. But I am distressed, ^geates, about thine own miseries, because
For I and
thee to be what thou
art,
!

my

eternal perdition

is

ready to receive thee.

Eun

then, for thine

own

sake,

pitiable one, while yet thou canst, lest perchance

thou shouldst wish then when thou canst not. When, therefore, he attempted to come near the tree of the cross, so as to release the blessed Andrew, with all the city applauding him, the holy Andrew said with a loud voice Do
:

not suffer Andrew, bound upon

Thy

tree, to

be released,

Lord

;

do not give

me who am

in

Thy mystery

to the shameless devil.

Jesus Christ, let not Thine adversary release me, who have Father, let this insignificant been hanged by Thy favour; man no longer humble him who has known Thy greatness. The executioners, therefore, putting out their hands, were not Others, then, and others endeavoured able at all to touch him. to release him, and no one at all was able to come near him for their arms were benumbed. Then the blessed Andrew, having adjured the people, said
prayer to

may first make one So then set about releasing me. All the Then people therefore kept quiet because of the adjuration. the blessed Andrew, with a loud cry, said Do not permit, Lord, Thy servant at this time to be removed from Thee for it is time that my body be committed to the earth, and Thou shalt
1 entreat

you

earnestly, brethren, that I

my

Lord.

:

;

order

Teacher
I

me to come to Thee. Thou who givest eternal life, my whom I have loved, whom on this cross I confess, whom Lord and as I have know, whom I possess, receive me,
; ;

now in this word hearken to me and, before my body come down from the cross, receive me to Tliyself, that through my departure there may be access
confessed Thee and obeyed Thee, so

346
to

ACTS AND MARTYRDOM OF

Thee of many of my kindred, finding rest for themselves in Thy majesty. When, therefore, he had said this, he became in the sight of
all

glad and exulting

;

for

an exceeding splendour like

light-

ning coming forth out of heaven shone down upon him, and so encircled him, that in consequence of such brightness mortal
eyes could not look upon

him

at all

And

the dazzling light

remained about the space of half an hour. And when he had tlms spoken and glorified the Lord still more, the light withdrew itself, and he gave up the ghost, and along with the brightness itself he departed to the Lord in giving Him thanks. And after the decease of the most blessed Andrew the apostle, Maximilla being the most powerful of the notable women,^ and continuing among those who had come, as soon as she learned that the apostle had departed to the Lord, came up and turned her attention to the cross, along with Stratocles, taking no heed at all of those standing by, and with reverence took down the body of the most blessed apostle from the cross. And when it was evening, bestowing upon him the necessary care, she prepared the body for burial with costly spices, and For she had been parted from laid it in her own tomb. ^geates on account of his brutal disposition and lawless conduct, having chosen for herself a holy and quiet life and having been united to the love of Christ, she spent her life blessedly along with the brethren. ^geates had been very importunate with her, and promised that he would make her mistress of his wealth but not having been able to persuade her, he was greatly enraged, and was determined to make a public charge against all the people, and to send to Csesar an accusation against both Maximilla and all And while he was arranging these things in the the people. presence of his officers, at the dead of night he rose up, and unseen by all his people, having been tormented by tlie devil, he fell down from a great height, and rolling into the midst of
;
;

the market-place of the city, breathed his

last.

And
among

this

was reported

to his brotlier Stratocles

his servants, having

told

them
Lit.
,

that they should

those

who had

died a violent death.
•

and he sent bury him But he sought
;

females.

THE HOLY APOSTLE ANDREW.
nothing of his substance, saying
in
:

347

Jesus Christ, anything whatever of the goods of my brother, that the condemnation of him who dared to cut off the apostle of the Lord may not disgrace me. These things were done in the province of Achaia, in the city

Let not

my Lord

whom

I

have believed,

suffer

me to touch

of Patras, on the day before the kalends of December,^ where
his good deeds are Ivept in

mind even
Christ, to

to this day, to the glory

and praise of our Lord Jesus and ever. Amen.^
^ i.e.

whom

be glory for ever

SOtli

November,
:

St.

Andrew's day.

These things were done in the province of Achaia, in the city of Patras, on the day before the kalends of December ; where also his glorious good deeds are shown even to this day and so great fear came upon all, that no one remained who did not believe in God our Saviour, who wishes all
2

One

MS_ thus ends

;

to be saved, and to

ages of ages.

come Amen.

to the

knowledge of the truth.

To Him be

glory to

ACTS OF
IN

ANDREW AND MATTHIAS'
THE CITY OF THE MAN-EATERS.

lot,

jlBOUT that time all the apostles had come together to the same place, and shared among themselves the countries, casting lots, in order that each might go away into the part that had fallen to him. By then, it fell to Matthias to set out to the country of the man-

eaters.

And

the

men

of that city used neither to eat bread nor

drink wine; but they ate the flesh of men, and drank their

Every man, therefore, who came into their city they of, and digging they thrust out his eyes, and gave him a drug to drink, prepared by sorcery and magic and from drinking the drug his heart was altered and his mind deranged. Matthias then having come into the gate of their city, the men of that city laid hold of him, and thrust out his eyes and after putting them out they made him drink the drug of their magical deception, and led him away to the prison, and put beside him grass to eat, and he ate it not. For when he had partaken of their drug, his heart was not altered, nor his mind deranged but he kept praying to God, weeping, and saying Lord Jesus Christ, for whose sake we have forsaken all things and have followed Thee, knowing that Thou art the helper of all who hope in Thee, attend then and behold what they have
blood.
laid

hold

;

;

;

done to Matthias Thy servant, how they have made me nigh to the brutes for Thou art He who knowest all things. If, therefore, Thou hast ordained that the wicked men in this city should eat me up, I will not by any means flee from Thy dispensation.
;

Afibrd to
^

me

then,
.Ms.

Lord, the light of mine eyes, that at least
;

The

oldest

has JLitthias

the four or

live otliers

have Matthew.

348

A CTS OF A NDEE W AND MA TTHIA S.
I

349

may behold what the wicked men in this city have in hand my Lord Jesus Christ, and do me do not forsake me, not give me up to this bitter death.
for
;

While Matthias was thus praying in the prison, a light shone, and there came forth out of the light a voice saying Beloved
:

Matthias, receive thy sight.
sight.

And

immediately he received his
:

And

again there came forth a voice saying
;

Be
all

of good

courage, our Matthias, and be not dismayed

for I shall not

by

all thy brethren who are with thee with thee everywhere and at all times. But remain here twenty-seven days for the edification ^ of many souls and after that I shall send forth Andrew to thee, and he shall lead

any means forsake thee, for and not only thee, but also
for I

I shall deliver thee

from

danger;

am

;

thee forth out of this prison
hear.

;

and not thee

only, but also all

who

Having

said this, the Saviour said again to Matthias,

Peace be to thee, our Matthias, and went into heaven. Then Matthias having beheld Him, said to the Lord Let thy grace my Lord Jesus. abide with me, Then Matthias therefore ^ sat down in the prison, and sang.
:

And

it

came

to pass that,

the prison to bring forth the

when the men to

executioners came into
eat them, Matthias also

shut his eyes, that they might not behold that he saw. hand, and said among themselves

And
shall

the executioners having come to him, read the ticket in his
:

Yet three days, and we

bring out this one also from the prison, and slay him. Because in the case of every man whom they laid hold of, they noted
that day on which they laid hold of him, and tied a ticket to
his right hand, that they
thirty days.

might know the completion

of the

And
filled

it

came

to pass

when

the twenty-seven days were ful-

was seized, the Lord appeared in the country where Andrew was teaching, and said to him Else up, and set out with thy disciples to the country of the man-eaters, and bring forth Matthias out of that place for yet three days, and the men of the city will bring him forth and slay him for And Andrew answered and said ]\Iy Lord, I shall their food.
since Matthias
:

;

:

not be able to accomplish the journey thither before the limited period of the three days but send Thine angel quickly, that he
;

^

Lit.,

oeconomy.

*

One

ms. inserts

:

having given thanks to God.

350

ACTS OF

ANDREW AND
:

MATTHIAS.

may bring him out thence am flesh, and shall not he
says to

for

thou knowest, Lord, that I also

able to go there quickly.
thee,

And He

Andrew

:

Obey Him who made
and that it. For
it

able to say in a word,

city shall
I

and Him who is be removed thence,
the horns of the

and

all

that dwell in

command

winds,^ and they drive

But rise up early, and go down to the sea with thy disciples, and thou shalt find a boat upon the shore, and thou shalt go aboard with thy disciples.
thence.

And

having said

this,

the Saviour again said
!

:

Peace

to thee,

Andrew, along with those with thee
heavens.

And He

w^ent into the

having risen up early, proceeded to the sea and having come down to the shore, he saw a little boat, and in the boat three men sitting. For the Lord by His own power had prepared a boat, and He it
along with his disciples
;

And Andrew

and He brought two men, and they were in the boat sitting.^ Andrew, therefore, having beheld the boat, and the three who were in it, rejoiced with exceeding great joy and having gone to them, he said "Where are you going, brethren, with this little boat ? And the Lord answered and

was in human shape a
angels

pilot in the boat

;

whom He made

to appear like

;

:

are going to the country of the man-eaters. having beheld Jesus, did not recognise Him for Jesus was hiding His Godhead, and He appeared to Andrew
said to
:

him

We

And Andrew
like a pilot.

;

And

Jesus having heard

Andrew

saying, I too
:

am going to man avoids

the country of the man-eaters, says to
that city, and
:

how

Andrew answered and said We do there, and we must get through with
eaters, to

him Every you going there ? And have some small business to
are
;

it but if thou canst, do us this kindness to convey us to the country of the man-

said to

which also you intend them Come on board.
: :

to go.

Jesus answered and

And Andrew said I wish to make some explanation to thee, young man, before we come on board thy boat. And Jesus said Say what thou wilt. And Andrew said to Him AVe have no passage-money to give thee we have not even bread
:

:

;

*

*

sailors

The winds from the four quarters of tlie heavens. One MS. has And the Lord })re])ared a small boat, and put angels in and Jesus was, as it were, the master of the boat. ;
:

it for

ACTS OF
for our nourishment.

ANDREW AND

MATTHIAS.

301

How,

then, are

And Jesus answered and said to him you going away without giving us the passagefor

money, and without having bread

Andrew

said to Jesus, Listen, brother

your nourishment ? do not think that
;

And
it is

through masterfulness that we do not give thee our passagemoney, but we are disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ, the good God. For He chose for Himself us twelve, and gave us such a

commandment,

saying,

When you

go to preach, do not carry
staff,

money

in the journey, nor bread, nor bag, nor shoes, nor
coats.^
If,

thou wilt do us the kindness, if not, let us know, and we shall go brother, tell us at once and seek another boat for ourselves. And Jesus answered and
nor two
therefore,
;

Andrew If this is the commandment which you reand you keep it, come on board my boat with all joy. For I really wish you, the disciples of Him who is called Jesus, to come on board my boat, rather than those who give me of their silver and gold; for I am altogether worthy that the And apostle of the Lord should come on board my boat. Andrew answered and said Permit me, brother, may the Lord grant thee glory and honour. And Andrew went on board the
said to
ceived,
: :

boat with

liis

disciples.

And having gone on board, he sat down by the boat's sail. And Jesus answered and said to one of the angels Else and go
:

and bring up three loaves, that the men may eat, lest perchance they be hungry, from having come And he rose and went down to the to us off a long journey. hold of the boat, and brought up three loaves, as the Lord commanded him and he gave them the loaves. Then Jesus said

down

to the hold of the boat,

;

to

Andrew

:

Else up, brother, with thy friends
said to his disciples

;

partake of food,
sea.

that you

may

be strong to bear the tossing of the
:

And
we

Andrew answered and

My

children,

have found great kindness from this man. Stand up, then, and partake of the nourishment of bread, that you may be strong And his disciples were not able to bear the tossing of the sea.
to

answer hini a word,

for

sea.

Then Jesus forced Andrew

they v/ere in distress because .of the to partake himself also of the

nourishment of bread along with his disciples. answered and said to Jesus, not knowing that
'

And Andrew
it

was Jesus

Matt. X. 10

;

Ma-V

-i.

9.

352
Brother,

ACTS OF
may

ANDREW AND

MATTHIAS.

kingdom.

the Lord give thee heavenly bread out of His Allow me then, brother; for thou seest the chil-

dren, that they are distressed because of the sea.

And

Jesus

answered and said to Andrew: Assuredly the brethren are without experience of the sea; but inquire of them whether they want to go to land, and thyself to remain, until thou Then shalt finish thy business, and again come back to them. Andrew said to his disciples My children, do you wish to go
:

and me to remain here until I shall finish my And they answered and business for which I have been sent ? If we go away from thee, may we become said to Andrew strangers to the good things which the Lord hath provided for Now, therefore, we are with thee, wherever thou mayst go. us. Jesus answered and said to Andrew: If thou art truly a disciple of Him who is called Jesus, tell thy disciples the miracles which thy Teacher did, that their soul may rejoice, and that they may forget the fear of the sea for, behold, we are going to take the boat off from the land. And immediately Jesus said to one of the angels Let go the boat and he let go the boat from the land. And Jesus came and sat down Then Andrew exbeside the rudder, and steered the boat. horted and comforted his disciples, saying ^My children, who have given up your life to the Lord, fear not; for the Lord For at that time when I will not at all forsake you for ever. was along with our Lord, we went on board the boat with Him, and He lay down to sleep in the boat, trying us for He was not^ fast asleep. And a great wind having arisen, and the sea being stormy, so that the waves were uplifted, and came under the sail of the boat, and when we were in great fear, the Lord stood up and rebuked the winds, and there was a calm in the sea for all things feared Him, as being made by Him.' Now, therefore, my children, fear not. For the Lord Jesus wiU not at aU forsake us. And having said this, the holy Andrew prayed in his heart that his disciples might be led to And as Andrew was praying, his disciples fell asleep. sleep. And Andrew, turning round to the Lord, not knowing that it was the Lord, said to Him Tell me, man, and show me the skill of thy steering; for I have never seen any man so
to the land,
:

;

:

;

:

;

;

:

'

One

MS. omits the negative.

' Cf.

Matt.

viii.

26.

ACTS OF ANDREW AND MATTHIAS.
steering in the sea as I

353

now

see thee.
is

I sailed the sea, and behold this

Por sixteen years have the seventeenth, and I have

not seen such

Show me
and

then,

said to

for truly the boat is just as if on land. young man, thy skill. Then Jesus answered Andrew We also have often sailed the sea, and
skill
;
:

but since thou art a disciple of Him called Jesus, the sea has recognised thee that thou art righteous, and has become calm, and has not lifted its waves against the boat. Then Andrew cried out with a loud voice, saying: I thank

been in danger

;

Thee,

my

Lord Jesus Christ, that I have met a

man who
me, thou

glorifies

Thy name.
Jesus answered and said:

And

Andrew,

tell

disciple of

Him

called Jesus, wherefore the unbelieving

Jews

did not believe in Him, saying that

He was

not God, but man.

that

disciple of Him called Jesus; for I have heard He showed His Godhead to His disciples. And Andrew answered and said Truly, brother. He showed us that He was God. Do not think, then, that He is man. For He made the

Show me,

:

heaven, and the earth, and the

And

Jesus answered and said:

Perhaps He Hast thou not heard of the miracles which He did before them ? He made the blind see, the lame walk, the deaf hear; He cleansed lepers, He changed water into wine; and having taken five loaves and two fishes. He made a crowd recline on the grass, and having blessed. He gave them to eat; and those that ate were five thousand men,^ and they were filled and they took up what was over to them twelve baskets of fragments.^ And after all these things they did not believe Him. And Jesus answered and said to Andrew Perhaps He did these miracles before the people, and not before the chief priests, and because of this they did not believe Him. And Andrew answered and said Nay, brother. He did them
believe

Him ?
said
:

all that is in them. then did the Jews not did not do miracles before them ?

sea,

and

How

Andrew

:

:

also before the chief priests, not only openly, but also in secret,

and they did not believe Him. Jesus answered and said What are the miracles which He did in secret ? Disclose man, who them to me. And Andrew answered and said:
hast the spirit of inquisitiveness,
'

why

dost thou put
*

me
vi.

to the

Oue

MS. inserts, besides

women and

children.

Mark

37-44.

Z

354
test
test
?

ACTS OF

ANDREW AND
:

MATTHIAS.

And Jesus answered and said I do not put tliee to the disciple of Him called Jesus but my by saying this, soul rejoices and exults, and not only mine, but also every soul that hears the wonders of Jesus. child, the Lord shall fill And Andrew answered and said thy soul with all joy and all good, as thou hast persuaded me now to relate to thee the miracles which our Lord did in secret. It came to pass as we, the twelve disciples, were going with our Lord into a temple of the Gentiles, that He might make
;
:

known

to us the ignorance of the devil, that the chief priests,
us,

having beheld us following Jesus, said to

wretches,

why

do you walk with him

you mean to say that at any time seen God associating with a woman ? Is not this the son of Joseph the carpenter, and his mother is Mary, and And when we heard these his brothers James and Simon ?^ words, our hearts were turned into weakness. And Jesus, having known that our hearts were giving way, took us into a desert place, and did great miracles before us, and displayed And w^e spoke to the chief priests, sayto us all His Godhead. for, behold, He has persuaded us. ing. Come ye also, and see And the chief priests having come, went with us and when we had gone into the temple of the Gentiles, Jesus showed us the heaven,^ that we might know whether the things were And there went in along with us thirty men of true or not. And Jesus, having looked the people, and four chief priests. on the right hand and on the left of the temj)le, saw two sculptured sphinxes, one on the right and one on the left.
; ;

who says, I am the Son of God ? Do God has a son ? Which of you has ever

And
cross

Jesus having turned to us, said. Behold the sign of the
;

cherubim and the seraphim which where the sphinx was, said to it, I say unto thee, thou image of that which is in heaven, which the hands of craftsmen have sculptm-ed, be separated from thy place, and come down, and answer and convict the chief priests, and show them whether I am God or man.
for these are like the

are in heaven.

Then

Jesus, having looked to the right,

^
'^

Mark

vi. 3.

There seems to be something wrong here.

One

MS. has, the structure of

the temple, and omits the following clause.

ACTS OF
And

ANDREW AND

MATTHIAS.

355

immediately at that very time the sphinx removed from foolish and having assumed a human voice, said, sons of Israel, not only has the blinding of their own hearts not been enough for them, but they also wish others to be blind like themselves, saying that God is man, who in the beginning fashioned man, and put His breath into all, who
its place,

gave motion to those things which moved not He it is who called Abraham, who loved his son Isaac, who brought back
;

his beloved Jacob into his land

;

He

is

the Judge of living and

dead
not.

;

He

it is

who

prepareth great benefits for those
for those

who obey

Him, and prepareth punishment

who

believe
;

Him

an idol that can be handled for I say unto you, that the sacred places of your synagogue are more excellent.^ For though we are stones, the priests have given us only the name of a god and those, priests who serve the temple purify themselves, being afraid of the demons for if they have had intercourse with women, they purify themselves seven days, because of their fear so that they do not
that I
;
:

Heed not

am

;

come

into the temple because of us, because of the
are a god.

name which

they have given us, that we committed fornication, take the synagogue of God, and verence the glorious words

if you have and go into purify, and read, and do not reBecause of this, I say of God. unto you, that the holy things purify your synagogues, so that they also become churches of His only begotten Son. The sphinx having said this, ceased speaking. And we said to the chief priests. Now it is fitting that you should believe, because even the stones have convicted you. And the Jews answered and said. By magic these stones speak, and do not you think that it is a god ? Tor if you have tested what has been said by the stone, you have ascertained its For where did he find Abraham, or how did he see deception. him ? For Abraham died many years before he was born, and

But you,
of God,

up the law

how does he know him ? And Jesus, having again

turned to the image, said to it. Because these believe not that I Imve spoken with Abraham, go away into the land of the Canaanites, and go away to the
>

One

MS. has

:

Do

not say that

I

am

a carved stone, and that you alone have

a name, and are called high priests.

356

ACTS OF

ANDREW AND

MATTHIAS.

tlie field of Mamre, where the body of Abraham and cry outside of the tomb, saying, Abraham, Abraham, whose body is in the tomb, and whose soul is in paradise, thus speaks He who fashioned man, who made thee from the beginning his friend, Eise up, thou and thy son Isaac, and the son of thy son Jacob, and come to the temples of the Jebusites,

double^ cave in

is,

that we may convict the chief priests, in order that they may know that I am acquainted with thee, and thou with me. And when the sphinx heard these words, immediately she walked

about in the presence of us
Canaanites to the
field of

all,

and

set out for the

land of the

Mamre, and cried outside of the tomb, as God had commanded her. And straightway the twelve patriarchs^ came forth alive out of the tomb, and answered and said to her, To which of us hast thou been sent ? And the sphinx answered and said, I have been sent to the
three patriarchs for testimony
;

the time of the resurrection.
into the

but do ye go in, and rest until And having heard, they went

tomb and

fell asleep.

And

the three patriarchs set

out along with the sphinx to Jesus, and convicted the chief
priests.

And

Jesus said to them,

they went away.
place
;

And He

said also to the image,

Go away to your places and Go up to thy
;

and straightway she went up and stood in her

place.

And He did also many other miracles, and they did not Him which (miracles), if I shall recount, thou wilt able to bear. And Jesus answered and said to him
;

believe

not be
:

I can

bear

it

;

for I prudently listen to profitable words.

•And when the boat was about to come near the land, Jesus down His head upon one of His angels, and was quiet. And Andrew ceased speaking and he also, reclining his head upon one of his disciples, fell asleep. And Jesus said to His angels Spread your hands under him, and carry Andrew and his disciples, and go and put them outside of the city of the man-eaters and having laid them on the ground, return to me. And the angels did as Jesus commanded them, and the angels returned to Jesus and He went up into the heavens with His
bent
;
:

;

:

angels.
'

Gen.

xxiii. 9, 17,

following the version of the

LXX. and

the older inter-

preters.
2

Not one

of the twelve patriarchs

was buried

in

Machpelah.

ACTS OF
And when
looked,^ he
it

ANDREW AND

MATTHIAS.

357

was morning, Andrew, having awakened and
his disciples sleeping

looked up, found himself sitting on the ground; and having

saw

on the ground

wakened them, and

said to

them

:

Eise up,

my

children,

know
for

the great dispensation that has happened to us,

and he and and learn
;

that the Lord

and we knew Him not were a pilot in the boat, and humbled Himself, and appeared to us as a man, putting us

was with us

in the boat,
if

He

transformed Himself as

He

to the test.

And Andrew,

recovering himself, said

:

Lord, I re-

cognised
self to

Thy

excellent words, but

Thou

didst not manifest

Thy-

me, and because of this I did not know Thee. And his disciples answered and said to him: Father Andrew, do not think

that
for

we knew when thou wast speaking with Him in the boat, we were weighed down by a most heavy sleep and eagles came down out of the heavens, and lifted up our souls, and took them away into the paradise in heaven, and we saw great wonders. For we beheld our Lord Jesus sitting on a throne
;

and all the angels round about Him. We beheld also Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the saints and David And we beheld there praised Him with a song upon his harp. you the twelve apostles standing by in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ, and outside of you twelve angels round about you, and each angel standing behind each of you, and they were like you in appearance. And we heard the Lord saying
of glory,
;

to the angels. Listen to the apostles in all things whatsoever

they shall ask you.
father

These are the things which we have seen, Andrew, until thou didst awake us and angels, who
;

appeared like eagles, brought our souls into our bodies. Then Andrew, having heard, rejoiced with great joy that his disciples had been deemed worthy to behold these wonderful
things.

And Andrew

looked up into heaven, and said
;

:

Apnot

pear to me. Lord Jesus Christ
far

for I

know

that

Thou

art

Pardon me, Lord, for what I have from Thy servants. done for I have beheld Thee as a man in the boat, and I Now therefore, have conversed with Thee as with a man.
;

Lord, manifest Thyself to
in the likeness of a
^

me in this place. And when Andrew had said this, Jesus
One
MS.

appeared to him

most beautiful little inserts And he saw the gate
:

child.

And

Jesus

of tliat city.

358

ACTS OF
:

ANDREW AND
! :

MATTHIAS.

And Andrew, having answered and said Hail, our Andrew beheld Him, worshipped Him, saying Pardon me. Lord Jesus Christ, for I saw Thee like a man on the sea, and conversed with Thee. What is there, then, wherein I have sinned, my Lord Jesus, that Thou didst not manifest Thyself to me on the Thou hast sea ? And Jesus answered and said to Andrew not sinned, but I did this to thee because thou saidst, I shall not be able to go to the city of the man-eaters in three days and I have showed thee that I am able to do all things, and Now therefore rise up, go to appear to every one as I wish. into the city to Matthias, and bring him forth out of the prison, and all the strangers that are with him. For, behold, I show thee, Andrew, what thou must suffer before going into this city. They will heap upon thee tortures and insults, and scatter thy flesh in the ways and the streets, and thy blood shall flow to the ground, but they are not able to put thee to death but endure, just as thou sawest me beaten, insulted, and crucified
:

;

for there are those

who

are destined to believe in this city.

And having said this, the Saviour went into the heavens. And Andrew went into the city along with his disciples, and no one beheld him. And when he came to the prison, he saw
seven warders standing at the gate guarding, and he prayed
within himself, and they
accord.
fell

down and

expired
it

the gate with the sign of the cross, and

and he marked opened of its own
;

And having gone in with his disciples, he found Matthias sitting and singing; and seeing him, he stood up, and they saluted each other with a holy kiss and he said to Matthias Brother, how hast thou been found here ? For yet three days, and they will bring thee out to be food for them.
;
:

Where
said

are the great mysteries

which thou hast been taught, and
believed
?

the wonderful things which
to

we have

And

]\Iatthias

him: Didst thou not hear the Lord saying, I shall send you like sheep into the midst of wolves ?^ They straightway brought me into the prison, and I prayed to the Lord and He said to me, Eemain here twenty-seven days, and I shall send thee Andrew, and he will bring thee forth out of the prison. And now, behold, it has come to pass as the Lord said. Then Andrew, having looked, saw three men shut up eating
;

1

Matt.

X. 16.

ACTS OF ANDREW AND MATTHIAS.
grass

359

naked

;

and he beat his

breast,

and said

:

Consider,
like the

Lord, what the

men

suffer

;

how have they made them

he says to Satan: Woe to thee, the devil, the enemy of God, and to thine angels, because the strangers here have done nothing to thee and how hast thou brought upon them this punishment ? how long dost thou war
irrational brutes?
;

And

against the
paradise,
;

human

race

?

Thou

didst bring forth

Adam

out of

and didst cause men to be mixed up with transgression and the Lord was enraged, and brought on the deluge so And again hast thou made thy appearas to sweep man away. ance in this city too, in order that thou mayst make those who are here eat men,^ that the end of them also may be in execration and destruction, thinking in thyself that God will sweep away the work of His hands. Hast thou not heard that God said, I will not bring a deluge upon the earth ?^ but if there is any punishment prepared, it is for the sake of taking vengeance upon thee. Then he stood up, and Andrew and Matthias prayed and after the prayer Andrew laid his hands upon the faces of the blind men who were in the prison, and straightway they all And again he laid his hand upon their received their sight. hearts, and their mind was changed into human reason. Then Andrew answered them Eise up, and go into the lower parts of the city, and you shall find in the way a great fig-tree, and sit under the fig-tree, and eat of its fruit, until I come to you but if I delay coming there, you will find abundance of food for yourselves for the fruit shall not fail from the fig-tree, but according as you eat it shall produce more fruit, and nourish you, as the Lord has said. And they answered and said to our master, lest perchance the Andrew Go along with us, wicked men of this city again see us, and shut us up, and inflict upon us greater and more dreadful tortures than they And Andrew answered and said to have inflicted upon us. them Go for in truth I say to you, that as you go, not a dog shall bark with his tongue against you. And there were in all two hundred and seventy men and forty-nine women whom Andrew released from the prison. And the men went
; :

:

:

:

;

»

'

Another MS. has make men eat their like. Two Mss. have two hundred and forty-nine men.
:

*

Gen.

ix. 11.

:

360

ACTS OF

ANDREW AND
said to

MATTHIAS.
and he made Matthias

as the blessed

Andrew

them

;

go along with his disciples out of the eastern gate of the city. And Andrew commanded a cloud, and the cloud took up
Matthias and the disciples of

Andrew

;

and the cloud

set

them

down on

the mountain where Peter was teaching/ and they

remained beside him. And Andrew, having gone forth from the prison, walked about in the city and having seen a brazen pillar, and a statue standing upon it, he came and sat down behind that pillar And it happened until he should see what should happen.
;

that the executioners

went

to the prison to bring out the

men

and they found the doors of the prison opened, and the guards that guarded it And straightway they went, and lying dead upon the ground. reported to the rulers of the city, saying We found the prison opened, and having gone inside we found nobody;'' but we found the guards lying dead upon the ground. And the rulers having heard this, said among themselves What, then, has happened ? You do not mean to say that some persons have gone into the prison of the city, and have killed the warders, and taken away those that were shut up ? And they spoke to the executioners, saying Go to the prison, and bring the men And let us that are dead, that we may eat them up to-day. go to-morrow, and bring together all the old men of the city, that they may cast lots upon themselves, until the seven lots come, and we slay seven each day. And they shall be to us for food until we may choose young men, and put them in boats as sailors, that they may go away to the countries round about, and attack them, and bring some men here, that they
for their food,^ according to the

custom

;

:

:

:

may be for food to us. And the executioners went to the seven men that were dead and there
;

and brought the an oven built in the midst of the city, and there lay in the oven a large trough in which they killed the men, and their blood ran down into the And trough, and they drew out of the blood and drank it. And they brought the men, and put them into the trough. when the executioners were lifting their hands against them,
prison,
Avas
'

» Cf.

Another reading is, praying. Acts V. 20-25.

* i.e.

to be eaten

by them.

ACTS OF
Andrew heard
pening in this

ANDREW AND
:

MATTHIAS.

3G1

a voice, saying
city.
:

Behold, Andrew, what

And Andrew

is haphaving beheld, prayed to

the Lord, saying

Lord Jesus Christ, who didst order

me

to

come
evil,

into this city, do not suffer those in this city to do

any

but

let

the knives go out of the hands of the wicked ones.

men fell, and their hands were turned into stone. And the rulers, having seen what had happened, wept, saying Woe unto us, for here are the magicians who have gone into the prison, and brought out the men for, behold, they have bewitched these also. What, then, shall we do ? Let us go now, and gather together the old
straightway the knives of the wicked
:

And

;

men of the city, seeing And they went and

that

we

are hungry.

gathered them together, and found two hundred and seventeen and they brought them to the rulers,
;

and they made them cast lots, and the lot came upon seven old men. And one of those taken by lot answered and said to the officers I pray you, I have for myself one son take him, and slay him instead of me, and let me go. And the of&cers answered and said to him We cannot take thy son, unless we bring him first to our superiors. And the officers went and told the rulers. And the rulers answered and said to the officers If he give us his son instead of himseK, let him go. And the officers went and told the old man. And the old man answered and said to them I have also a daughter along with my son; take them, and kill them,. only let me go. And he gave his children to the officers, that they might kill them. And the children wept to each other, and prayed the officers, saying We pray you do not kill us, as we are of so small a size but let us complete our size, and so kill us. For it was a custom in tliat city, and they did not bury the dead, but ate them up. And the officers did not hearken to the children, nor take pity upon them, but carried them to the trough weeping and praying. And it happened, as they were leading them away to kill them, that Andrew, having beheld what happened, shed tears and weeping, he looked up to heaven and said Lord Jesus Christ, as Thou didst hear me in the case of the dead men, and didst not suffer them to be eaten up, so also now hear me, that the executioners may not inflict death upon these children, but
:

;

:

:

:

:

;

:

3G2

ACTS OF

ANDREW AND

MATTHIAS.

that the knives
tioners.^

And

may be loosened out of the hands of the execustraightway the knives were loosened, and fell

pass, the executioners,

out of the hands of the executioners. And when this came to having beheld what had happened, were
exceedingly afraid.
glorified the

And Andrew, seeing what had happened, Lord because He had listened to him in every

work.

And

the rulers, having beheld what had happened, wept with
: !

a great weeping, saying Woe unto us what are we to do ? And, behold, the devil appeared in the likeness of an old man,

and began to say in the midst of all Woe unto you because you are now dying, having no food what can sheep and oxen do for you ? They will not at all be enough for you. But rise up, and make a search here for one who has come to the city, a stranger named Andrew, and kill him for if you do not, he will not permit you to carry on this practice longer for it was
:
!

;

;

:

he who

let loose

the

men

out of the prison.

Assuredly the

and you have not seen ^ him. Now, thereand make search for him, in order that henceforward you may be able to collect your food. And Andrew saw the devil, how he was talking to the multitudes but the devil did not see the blessed Andrew. Then Belial most fiendish, Andrew answered the devil, and said who art the foe of every creature ^ but my Lord Jesus Christ

man

is

in this city,

fore, rise

;

:

;

will bring thee
this, said
:

down

to the abyss.

And
and

the devil, having heard

I know thy voice, but where thou art standing I know not. And Andrew answered and said to the devil: Why, then, hast thou been called Amael ? * is it not because thou art blind, not seeing all the And the devil, having heard this, said to the citizens saints ? Look round now for him speaking to me, for he is the man. And the citizens, having run in different directions, shut the gates of the city, and searched for the blessed one, and did not Then the Lord showed Himself to Andrew, and said see him.* I hear thy voice indeed,
:

^ Qj.^ Jq jjq^ know. One MS. adds like wax before fire. One MS. has Thou art always warring against the race of the Christians. One of the Mss. has Samael. ^ One MS. adds And Andrew answered and said Belial foe of the whole creation, thou hast always been a robber, waning against the race of men thou
1
:

3

:

*

:

:

!

.

ACTS OF
to

ANDREW AND
up and show

MATTHIAS.

3G3

Mm

:

Andrew,

rise

may learn my power, and the
in them.

thyself to them, that they powerlessness of the devil working

Then Andrew

rose up,

and said in presence
seek.

of all

:

Behold, I

am Andrew whom you
we
also will do to thee.
:

And
:

the multitudes ran upon

him, and laid hold of him, saying

And

'W^iat thou hast done to us, they reasoned among themselves,
kill

saying

By what
:

death shall

we

him ?

And
is

they said to
not torture
;

each other

If

we

take off his head, his death

and

if

we burn him, he
:

will not he for food to us.

Then one
and said

of them, the devil having entered into him, answered to the multitudes

As he has done

him.

Let us

rise up, then,

drag him through all when he is dead, we shall

do to and fasten a rope to his neck, and the streets and lanes of the city; and
to us, so let us also

share his body.

And

they did as

them and having fastened a rope round his neck, they dragged him through all the streets and lanes of the city, and the flesh of the blessed Andrew stuck to the ground, and And when it was his blood flowed to the ground like water. evening they cast him into the prison, having bound his hands behind him and he was in sore distress. And in the morning again they brought him out, and having fastened a rope round his neck, they dragged him about and
he said
to
; ;

;

again his flesh stuck to the ground, and his blood flowed.

And

the blessed one wept and prayed, saying

:

Do

not forsake me,

for I know that Thou art not far from he was praying, the devil walked behind, and said to the multitudes Strike him on the mouth, that he may not speak.' And when it was evening they took him again to the prison, having bound his hands behind him, and left him till the morrow again. And the devil having taken with himself seven demons ^ whom the blessed one had cast out of the countries round about, and having gone into the prison, they stood before him, wishing to kill him. And the demons answered and said

my

Lord Jesus Christ
servants.

;

Thy

And

as

:

Adam to be cast out of paradise thou didst cause the loaves upon the table to be turned into stones and again thou hast appeared
in the 'beginning didst cause
; ;

in this city, to cause the people here to eat
1

up men.
2

Cf.

Acts

xxiii. 2.

ci.

Matt.

xii. 45.

364
to

A CTS OF A NDEE W A ND
:

MA TTIIIA S.
;

Andrew Now hast thou fallen into our hands where is thy glory and thy exultation, thou that raisest thyself up against us, and dishonourest us, and tellest our doings to the people in every place and country, and hast made our workshops and our temples to become desolate, in order that sacrifices

may

not be brought to them

?

Because of

this, then,

we

shall also kill thee, like

thy teacher called Jesus, and John

wishing to kill him; and having beheld the seal upon his forehead which the Lord gave him, they were afraid, and did not come near him, but fled. And the devil said to them Why have you fled from him, my children, and not killed him ? And the demons answered and
:

whom Herod beheaded.^ And they stood before Andrew,

him, but kill him if thou art came into the distress of his humiliation. Then one of the demons answered and said We cannot kill him, but come let us mock him in the distress of And the demons came and stood before him, his humiliation. and scoffed at him. And the blessed one hearing, wept and there came to him a voice saying Andrew, why weepest thou ? And it was the voice of the devil changed. And Andrew answered and said I am weeping because God commanded
said to the devil
;
:

We

cannot

kill

able

for

we knew him

before he

:

;

:

:

me, saying. Be patient toward them. And the devil said If thou canst do anything, do it. And Andrew answered and said Is it for this, then, that you do these things to me ? But
: :

forbid

for if the

commandment of my Lord Lord shall make for me a charge ^ in this city, I And having heard this, shall chastise you as you deserve. they fled. And when it was morning they brought him out again, and having fastened a rope about his neck, they dragged him and again his flesh stuck to the ground, and his blood flowed to And the blessed one, as he was being the ground like water. dragged along, wept, saying: Lord Jesus Christ, be not displeased with me for Thou knowest, Lord, what the fiend has inflicted upon me, along with his demons. These tortures are
it

that I should disobey the

;

;

•

One

MS. adds

:

And
him

tlie devil

answered and said to the seven wicked demons.

My
^

children, kill

that dishonours us.

Or, a bishopric.

ACTS OF
enough,
days.

ANDREW AND
behold, I

MATTHIAS.
dragged about for

3G5
tliree

my

Lord

;

for,

am

But do Thou, Lord, remember that Thou wast three hours upon the cross, and didst cry out to the Father, My Father, why hast Thou forsaken me ? ^ Where are Thy words. Lord, which Thou spakest to us, confirming us, when we walked about with Thee, saying to us. Ye shall not lose one hair ? ^ Consider, then, Lord, what has become of my flesh, and the hairs of my head. Then Jesus said to Andrew: our Andrew, the heaven and the earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.^ Turn thyself then, Andrew, and behold thy flesh that has fallen, and thy hair, what has become of them. And Andrew turned, and saw great trees springing up, bearing fruit; and he glorified God. And when it was evening they took him up again, and cast him into the prison, having bound his hands behind him and he was exceedingly exhausted. And the men of the city said among themselves Perhaps he dies in the night, and we do not find him alive on the following day for he was languid, and his flesh was spent. And the Lord appeared in the prison, and having stretched out His hand, said to Andrew Give me thy hand, and rise up whole. And Andrew, having beheld the Lord Jesus, gave Him his hand, and rose up whole. And falling down, he worshipped Him, and said I thank Thee, my Lord Jesus Christ, that Thou hast speedily brought help to me. And Andrew, having looked into the middle of the prison, saw a pillar standing, and upon the pillar there stood an alabaster statue. And Andrew, having gone up to the statue, unfolded his hands seven times, and said to the pillar, and the statue upon it Fear the sign of the cross, which the heaven and the earth dread and let the statue set upon the pillar bring up much water through its
;
:

;

:

:

:

;

mouth, until
not, I

all

who

are in this city be punished.

And

say

and am not worthy to praise the Lord, for the Lord fashioned iis from the earth but you are pure, because When the that out of you He gave the tables of the law.*

am

stone,

;

1

Matt, xxvii. 46.

2

cf_ jviatt. x. 30.

3
;

Matt. v. 18.

Yea, for assuredly you have been honoured for God did not write the law for His people on plates of gold or silver, but on plates of stone.
*

One

MS. has

:

Now

therefore,

statue,

do this that

I

require of thee.

366
blessed

ACTS OF

ANDREW AND

MATTHIAS.
the stone statue
if

cast out of its

Andrew had said this, straightway mouth water in abundance, as
upon the earth
;

out of a canal.
it

And

the water stood high

and

was exceed-

ingly acrid, eating into the flesh of men.

And when
began to
are
flee,

it

was morning, the men of the
:

city
!

saw

it,

and

saying in themselves

Woe

to us

because

we

now
;

dying.

And

the water killed their cattle and their

and they began to flee out of the city. Then Andrew Lord Jesus Christ, in whom I have hoped that this miracle should come upon this city, forsake me not, but send Michael Thy archangel in a cloud of fire, and be a wall round the city, that no one may be able to escape out of the And straightway a cloud of fire came down and encircled fire. the city like a wall and the water was as high as the neck of those men, and it was eating them up exceedingly. And they wept, saying Woe to us for all these things have come upon us because of the stranger who is in the prison. Let us go and
children

prayed, saying

:

;

:

!

release him, lest perchance

we

die.
:

they went out, crying with a loud voice God of the And the apostle knew stranger, take away from us this water.

And

that they were in great afiliction, and said to the alabaster
statue
:

Stop the water, for they have repented.

And

I say to

thee, that if the citizens of this city shall believe, I will build

a church, and place thee in it, because thou hast done me this And the statue ceased flowing, and no longer brought service. And the men of the city, having come out to the forth water.

Have pity upon us, God and do not according to our unbelief, and according to what we have done to this man, but take away from us this water. And Andrew came forth out of the prison and the water ran this way and that from the feet of the Then all the multitude seeing him, all cried blessed Andrew. out Have pity upon us. And the old man having come who gave up his children
doors of the prison, cried out, saying
of the stranger,
: :

that they should slay
of the blessed

them

instead of him, prayed at the feet
:

Andrew, saying Have pity upon me. And the holy Andrew answered and said to the old man I wonder how thou sayest, Have pity upon me for thou hadst no pity upon thy children, but gavest them up to be slain instead of thee.
:

;

ACTS OF

ANDREW AND

MATTHIAS.
this

8G7

Therefore I say unto thee,

At what hour

water goes away,
^

into the abyss shalt thou go, with the fourteen

executioners

who

slay the

men

every day.

And he came

to the place of the

trough, where they used to slay the men.
one, having looked
;

And

the blessed

up to heaven, prayed before all the multitude and the earth was opened, and swallowed up the water, He was carried down into the abyss, along with the old man. with the executioners. And the men, having seen wdiat had happened, were exceedingly afraid, and began to say Woe unto us because this man is from God and now he will kill us because of the afflictions which we have caused him. For, behold, what he said to the executioners and the old man has befallen them. Now, therefore, he will command the fire, and it And Andrew, having heard, said to them Fear will burn us. not, children for I shall not send these also to Hades but those have gone, that you may believe in our Lord Jesus Christ. Then the holy Andrew ordered to be brought up all who had died in the water. And they were not able to bring them for there had died a great multitude both of men, and women, and children, and cattle. Then Andrew prayed, and they all came to life. And after
:
!

;

:

;

;

;

these things he drew a plan of a church, and he caused the

church to be

built.

And

he baptized them, and gave them the
:

ordinances of our Lord Jesus Christ, saying to them
these, in order that

Stand by you may know the mysteries of our Lord
:

Jesus Christ.

And they all prayed him We pray thee, stay with us a few days, that we may be hlled with thy fountain, because we are newly planted.^ And he did not comply with
their request, but said to

them

:

I shall go first to

my disciples.

And men

the children followed after weeping and praying, with the
;

and they cast ashes ^ upon their heads. And he did not comply with them, but said I shall go to my disciples, and after that I shall come again to you. And he went his way. And the Lord Jesus came down, being like a comely little child, and met Andrew, and said Andrew, why hast thou come out and left them without fruit, and hast not had compassion upon the children that followed after thee, and the
:

:

men
1

entreating thee. Stay with us a few days

?

For the cry of
^

One

MS. has, four.

2 j_g_

neophytes.

Or, dust.

368

ACTS OF PETER AND ANDREW.
to heaven.

them and the weeping has come up
return,

Now

therefore

and remain there seven days, until I shall confirm their souls in the faith and then thou shalt go away into the country of the harbarians, thou and thy disand go into the
city,
;

And after going into this city, thou shalt proclaim my and bring up the men who are in the abyss. And thou shalt do what I command thee. Then Andrew turned and went into the city, saying I thank Thee, my Lord Jesus Christ, who wishest to save every soul, that Thou hast not allowed me to go forth out of this city in mine anger. And when he had come into the city, they, seeing him, rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And he stayed there seven days, teaching and confirming them in the Lord Jesus Christ. And the seven days having been fulfilled, it came to pass, while the blessed Andrew was going out, all came together to him, from the child even to the elder, and sent him on his way, saying There is one God, (the God) ot Andrew, and one Lord Jesus Christ, who alone doeth wonders ; to whom be glory and strength for ever. Amen.
ciples.

gospel,

:

.

:

'•

ACTS OF PETER

AND ANDREW.
MS.

FROM A BODLEIAN

Ads
It

of the Holy Apostles Peter

and Andrew.

came

to pass

when Andrew

the apostle of Christ went

forth from the city of the man-eaters, behold a

luminous cloud

him up, and carried him away to the mountain where Peter and Matthew and Alexander were sitting. And when he saw them, they saluted him with great joy. Then Peter says to him: What has happened to thee, brother Andrew? Hast thou sown the word of truth in the country of the mansnatched
and
"With the Father, and the Son, and the all-holy and good Spirit. Another MS. ends thus Then the Apostle go out again to preach. And they assembled from small to great of them, and said [There is] one God and Father of all, one Lord, one laith, one baptism, which we have been taught by our father Andrew, the first called in (or by) Christ Jesus our Lord ; to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
^

One

MS. adds

:

life-giving

and holy
:

:

Andrew wished

to

ACTS OF PETER AND ANDREW.
:

869

eaters or not ? Andrew says to him Yes, father Peter, through thy prayers; hut the men of that city have